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Ag Explore: Ag Career Boot Camp

4-H and Youth Programming

Jan Yingling
CEA-Agriculture
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Servi
Searcy

Abstract

Presentation In 4-H & Youth Programming

Ag Expore: Ag Career Boot Camp

Yingling, J., Tallent, A.

Agriculture/4-H Agent, University of Arkansas, Searcy, AR. 72143

Agriculture/Staff Chair, University of Arkansas, De Valls Bluff, AR. 72041

Many high school students today have a narrow view of the careers available in agriculture and the vast opportunities available within varying college degrees.  “Jobs within agriculture are abundant, according to USDA data, but high school and college students do not have high interest in pursuing a career in the field.  The Prairie and White County Cooperative Extension Service agents, Amy Tallent & Jan Yingling, hosted an “Ag Explore: Ag Career Bootcamp” educational program in June 2021. Youth in our counties deserved a broader scope of what Agriculture has to offer for young folks looking to start careers in technology. We knew there were other programs like this across the state, but they weren’t accessible to all students. This program was created to bring awareness about the diverse career opportunities in agriculture in Arkansas.  The students learned throughout the 3-day program that consisted of 8, on-farm tour stops, focused on the following topics: Horticulture, Row Crop, and Livestock technological careers. The experiential learning module was used as the youth were exposed to drone technology, production agriculture, equipment simulators, AI technologies, and innovative approaches to marketing in cooperation with local producers.  There were a total of 72 participants of youth and adults over the 3 days of learning.  Based on an end-of-tour survey, 93% of the students increased their basic understanding of careers available in row crops, horticulture, and livestock. Several testimonials received included youth explaining how much they learned about the different aspects of Agriculture and how their awareness of careers in Agriculture increased, due to attending the Boot Camp.  One student shared that they are now interested in becoming a county extension agent after attending the program.  Several others are interested in pursuing a career in Agriculture. Due to the success and impact of the Boot Camp, plans are being made to repeat the program but focused on different areas of Agriculture, based on our survey results.

Authors: Amy Tallent, Jan Yingling
  1. Amy Tallent CEA-Agriculture/Staff Chair, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72041
  2. Jan Yingling CEA-Agriculture, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72143