An Examination of the Effects of the Texas Farm Bureau Mobile Learning Barn Agricultural Education Program on Youth's Perceptions and Knowledge of Agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture impacts the lives of individuals daily and many people do not realize the effect it has on our society. In efforts to educate people and strive for a more agricultural literate society, agricultural education programs, such as the Texas Farm Bureau Mobile Learning Barn, strive to educate youth about the importance of agriculture. This study documented the agricultural perceptions and knowledge of youth who attended the Texas Farm Bureau Mobile Learning Barn agricultural education program during summer 2013. Participants, who were in the third through fifth grade, completed a pre-test prior to the educational activity and post-test following the activity. A parent of each child was also requested to complete an instrument to collect information regarding family involvement in agriculture.

Findings revealed that youth had an increased knowledge and a more positive perception of agriculture after attending the Mobile Learning Barn agricultural education program. However, no significant difference in knowledge gain was documented. Findings from parental surveys revealed family involvement in agriculture does influence youth’s knowledge and perceptions about agriculture. Youth reported to have more agricultural knowledge if their parent had experience in agriculture.