ATTRACTING YOUTH IN CROP SCIENCES - CROP SCIENCE INVESTIGATION
4-H & Youth
Brandy VanDeWalle
EXT. EDUCATOR
NE Extension
Geneva
Abstract
Today’s agricultural world faces several challenges, one of them being the decline of our most valuable resource, the future workforce. With crops playing a key role in Nebraska’s economy, a wide variety of career paths is available in this rapidly-changing field. Active learning strategies teach youth about careers in production agriculture and can entice youth to stay in rural communities and involved in production agriculture. \r\n University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offers Crop Science Investigation (CSI) programming for youth to increase their knowledge and interest with plants, science, and agriculture. CSI workshops are offered in several counties which consist of local hands-on workshops for 4-H and FFA youth. Workshop topics include: marketing, nutrient management, managing disease, insect and weed problems, plant population, water management, etc. These sessions build life skills such as; researching scientifically based answers; problem solving, public speaking, etc. \r\n In addition, an interactive webpage is being developed for youth interested in crops which can also be used by faculty, 4-H leaders, and agricultural educators in their lessons or activities. \r\n Surveys from Fillmore County CSI participants (n=8) showed that all know a college major related to their project and have talked to someone in a career related to their project. All youth know that science, engineering and technology (SET) is useful for solving problems & five agreed they apply SET to their project. One 4-H'er said, "I use science/technology with GPS to map fields and sensors for irrigation." Another said, "CSI has helped increase my leadership skills and build self-confidence."
Authors: Vandewalle, B.
-
Vandewalle, B. Ext. Educator, University Of Nebraska, Nebraska, 68361