Degree Type

Creative Component

Semester of Graduation

Spring 2019

Department

Agricultural Education and Studies

First Major Professor

Dr. Scott Smalley

Degree(s)

Master of Science (MS)

Major(s)

Agricultural Education

Abstract

Agricultural literacy continues to be a hot-button issue in the agricultural industry. As we see consumers spending more time learning about their products and how they are produced, we tend to also see a gap in the understanding of those practices. Part of this literacy gap could be closed with the introduction to agriculture lessons at a younger age. Many agricultural education students, parents, agriculture teachers, and industry leaders believe that agricultural education provides a context-rich environment that facilitates this venue (Bellah and Dyer, 2009). While some organizations, like Farm Bureau, have incorporated lessons into the elementary classrooms, the gap continues. Agriculturally literate adolescents are able to “a) engage in social conversation, b) evaluate the validity of media, c) identify local, national, and international issues, and d) pose and evaluate arguments based on scientific evidence” as it relates to “agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resource systems” (Graves, Hughes, & Balgopal, 2016). How can we get consumers to learn about their products in an educational way? Will starting these lessons at a younger age improve their understanding and knowledge?

Copyright Owner

Kaitlyn Bonzer

File Format

application/pdf

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