In search of common ground: A comprehensive census of secondary agricultural educators in Maine

Abstract

Nationally, agricultural education has undergone massive changes over the past two decades .A quantitative, comprehensive census of agricultural educators in Maine was completed through this research The primary purpose for this research was to determine the current status of agricultural education in Maine and create a baseline from which change may be measured.

Seventy-one teachers who are involved in agricultural education were surveyed through a mailed instrument This represented 88 89 percent of the identified population.

Major findings included an aging population, one-third of whom had no background in agriculture Most of the participants agreed with national definitions of agriculture which include such fields as forestry, horticulture, and resource conservation. Respondents did not, however. indicate the type of interaction between teacher, university, state government, and industry that has been recommended in national studies.

The recommendations of the research may be summarized as inform, involve and Unify. With strong leadership, the state of Maine has the potential to establish at least fifty effective agricultural education programs accompanied by strong FFA chapters. Further work should be done to measure the on-going achievements of this population