Why Agricultural Education and FFA?

Agricultural education is a systematic program of instruction available to students desiring to learn about the science, business and technology of food safety, food security, plant and animal systems or the stewardship of our environmental and natural resources systems.

Agricultural education first became a part of the public education system in 1917 when the U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act. Today, approximately 1 million students participate in formal agricultural education instructional programs offered in grades seven-adult throughout the 50 states and two territories.

The three components of agricultural education are: classroom/laboratory instruction (contextual learning), supervised agricultural experience programs (experiential learning) and student

leadership organizations (National FFA Organization).

A National Snapshot of FFA

2013-14 7,665 agriculture education programs, providing instruction in grades 7 – 12

Approximately 1 million students enrolled in agricultural education

610,240 active FFA members, a 5.3 % Growth from 2012-13

National ten year comparison

2013-14 2003-04

Members 610,240* (28%- 10 yr. growth) 476,732

Chapters 7665* (6% - 10 yr. growth)

7,223

*all time high 5.3% member growth from 2012-2013 membership year. 1.3% chapter growth from 2012-2013 membership year.

Alaska Ten year comparison

2013-14 2003-04

Members 98 117

Chapters 7 6

Why Agricultural Education and FFA?

Agriculture at the Secondary Level

106 Land Grant Universities providing instruction impacting Agriculture, Food, Fiber and Natural Resource Industry. 92 post-secondary institutions provide instruction and training for secondary agricultural education instructors and or agriculture extension agents.

National Impact of Agriculture, Food, Fiber and Natural Resource Industry

Agriculture employs 21 million American workers (15% of total U.S. workforce) to produce, process, sell, and trade the nation’s food, fiber and natural resource products.

Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold in the United States

2012 Agricultural Census Report

Crops including greenhouse and nursery ........ $212,397,074,000

Aquaculture, Livestock, Poultry & products .... $182,247,407,000

Ag Product Direct Sales – farm gate sales ........... $1,309,827,000

Total value all agriculture production ............. $395,954,308,000

Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold and agri-tourism in Alaska

2012 Agricultural Census Report

Crops including greenhouse and nursery ................. $24,857,000

Aquaculture, Livestock, Poultry & products ............. $34,068,000 (Aquaculture……….$29,774,000)

Ag Product Direct Sales – farm gate sales .................. $2,227.000

Hunting – retail sales .............................................. $439,326,408 Hunting - Salaries and Wages ................................. $195,786,614 Hunting – State and Local Taxes ............................... $53,998,861

Source: 2011 Hunting in America; An Economic Force for Conservation

Report

Sport Fishing (2007 impact) ................................. $1,400,000,000 Sport Fishing – related jobs ............................................... 15,800 Sea food Industry (2007 impact) ......................... $5,800,000,000 Sea food industry (2007 impact) related jobs ................... 78,815

Source: Outdoor News impact of sport fishing and sea food industry

Why Agricultural Education and FFA?

Employment Opportunities The agricultural, food and renewable natural resources sectors of the U.S. economy will generate an estimated 54,400 annual openings for individuals with baccalaureate or higher degrees in food, renewable energy, and environmental specialties between 2010 and 2015. Seventy-four percent of the jobs are expected in business and science occupations; 15 percent in agriculture and forestry production; and 11 percent in education, communication, and governmental services. During 2010–15, five percent more college graduates with expertise in agricultural and food systems, renewable energy, and the environment will be needed when compared to 2005-10 Four major factors shape the market for graduates between 2010 and 2015:

Macroeconomic conditions and retirements

Consumer preferences for nutritious and safe foods

Food, energy, and environment public policy choices

Global market shifts in population, income, food, and energy

Expect approximately 53,500 qualified graduates to be available each year. About 55 percent of the total, 29,300 are expected to earn degrees from colleges of agriculture and life sciences, forestry and natural resources, and veterinary medicine. The other 45 percent, an estimated 24,200 graduates, will come from allied disciplines including biological sciences, engineering, health sciences, business, and communication. Shortfalls of qualified graduates to work as plant geneticists and plant breeders, climate change analysts, and food safety and security specialists are anticipated during 2010–15. (Information provided by Dr. Gary Moore, North Carolina State University)

Occupation

Percent Increase

Agricultural Inspectors – 12.8%

Animal Scientists – 13.2%

Biochemists and Biophysicists – 37.4%

Computer and Information Systems Managers – 16.9%

Credit Analysts – 15.0%

Environmental Engineers – 30.6%

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, including Health – 27.9%

Financial Analysts – 19.8%

Food Scientists and Technologists – 16.3%

Hydrologists – 18.3%

Management Analysts – 23.9%

Market Research Analysts – 28.1%

Natural Sciences Managers – 15.5%

Pest Control Workers – 15.3%

Public Relations Specialists – 24.0%

Recreation Workers – 14.7%

Sales Managers – 14.9%

Soil and Plant Scientists – 15.5%

Technical Writers – 18.2%

Veterinarians – 33.0%

Agricultural Education — Impact on Student Success

Student Group

Mean Scores from 1996 to 2000

Reading Math Science *

Agriculture 9.8 22.9 13.7

All Students 2.5 16 8

Georgia (2000)

Comparison of Mean Score for All Students and Agricultural Students from 1996 to 2000 as identified in the High Schools That Work, 1996, 1998, and 2000 Assessment.

Student Group

Graduation Rate

1999 2000

Technology/Career 500 495

Agriscience 508 505.7

* Comparison of Science Scores of Agriscience Students and Technology/Career Education Students on the 1999 and 2000 Georgia High School Graduation Test Source: High Schools That Work study, 2000.

Career and Technical Education Data

Nevada (2011)

Source: Nevada Report Card; 2011 Consolidated Annual Report

Illinois (2014)

93.7% of all seniors that were agricultural education students in Illinois graduated

State graduation rate 86%

72% ag ed graduates go to post-secondary education (of those, 72% to community college, 28% 4-year)

77% of ag programs offer courses for academic credit

Student net earnings of $11,811,317 through Supervised Agricultural Experience

2010-2011 HSPE Results of CTE Students Compared to all Students

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

94% 97%

73% 80%

All Students

CTE Students

Math Reading/Language Arts

Percent Rated Proficient

Reading Math Graduation Rate

CTE Concentrators 87.2 86.2 94.8%

Non-CTE Students 66.3 58.4 86.7% Source: 2013-14 North Dakota CTE Accountability Report.

Texas (2012-2013)

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR® )

Data reported is based on all Career

and Technical Education Students.

STAAR 2012-2013

English II Algebra I

% CTE Completer (3 credits) met standard 96.76% 93.9%

State % Met Standard 94% 91%

North Dakota (2013-2014)

Agriculture and Natural Resource students outscored Non-CTE students on the high school proficiency exam:

Oregon (2008-2009):

2008-09 Perkins Graduation and high school completion rates:

High School Completion 93.50% Results CTE 8% Higher Graduation Rates

High School Graduation 93.20%

2008-09 Oregon Perkins Academic Performance Results CTE

Reading/Language Arts 70.40% 4% Higher in Reading

Mathematics 64.50% 10% Higher in Mathematics

Writing 58.20% 3% Higher in Writing