Agricultural Education

Education has continued to evolve in line with the various developments in society so as to equip human beings with the knowledge they need not only to survive but to live comfortably. In the past, human beings were mostly focused on studying sciences and humanities so as to develop their minds and way of thinking. During this time, mathematicians and philosophers served as teachers who combined mathematical logic with scientific logic in their teachings. As a result, the foundation of the education system was based on a combination of sciences, humanities and art (Barrick, 1989). As human understanding of the world and knowledge grew, the fields broadened and new methods were used to educate society on several other concepts that were deemed necessary and of importance. Among such developments was the replacement of vocational agriculture with agricultural education.

            When the Kellog Commission realized the need to improve on what was taught in Land Grant and State universities, they sought to create an awareness that would result to positive reforms in the forms of higher education taught in public universities (Byrne, 2006). After thorough research, they came to the conclusion that there was a need to build good working relationships between the community and the universities. The relationships would pave the way for partnerships that were open and flexible enough to facilitate sharing of resources and responsibilities (Weerts, 2005). The venture proved successful and land graft universities have been able to provide accessible education to members of the community. Other than access, students benefit from the opportunity of getting to various academic disciplines taught in the universities. Students benefit from being exposed to a different field among which is Agricultural Education (Moore, 1994).

            Being a relatively new field, agricultural education has provoked a lot of discussion and is often confused with vocational agriculture. Vocational agriculture is a program that was taught in universities before the introduction of agricultural education. While some people tend to assume that the two refer to the same thing, vocational agriculture is more of a branch of agricultural education (McCormick, 1988). Agricultural education covers all educational aspects concerned with agriculture such as educational activities, processes and programs. It is a process that involves the blending of behavioral sciences of education with the applied sciences of agriculture. Agricultural education is very wide and contributes a lot to education. Other than responding to the technical informational needs of individuals who are or will be committed to the agricultural sector, it also educates people not in the agricultural sector by giving them general information and also gives transitional information and experience to people residing in the rural areas but lack a vocational commitment to the field of agriculture (McCormick,1988).

            Agricultural education also encompasses formal and non-formal programs, activities and processes that are involved in agriculture. Most, if not all, of the educational programs such as young and adult farmer, technical education, vocational agriculture and other programs are designed in a way that will prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to get employment in fields related to agriculture (Williams, 1991). Non formal programs include activities that are educational but are organized and offered by organizations not registered as schools. They are often conducted on voluntary basis, are flexible and aim at solving contemporary solutions to relevant people engaged in agriculture (McCormick, 1988). Through the link created by joining humanistic dimensions with the technical aspects of agriculture, agricultural education as we know it today has managed to improve on the quality of education that learners receive not only in university but also in the community.

 

 

References

Barrick K. (1989) “Agricultural education: Building upon our roots” Journal of Agricultural        Education

Byrne V. (2006) “Public Higher Education Reform Five Years After The Kellogg Commission    on the Future of State and Land-Grant Universities”

McCormick G. (1988) “What’s in a name?” Journal of Agricultural Education

Moore E. (1994) “Education: Children and youth” Encyclopedia of Agricultural Science

Weerts J. (2005) “Validating Institutional Commitment to Outreach at Land Grant Universities:   Listening to the Voices of Community Partners” Journal of Extension

Williams L. (1991) “Focusing agricultural education research: Strategies for the discipline”          Journal of Agricultural Education