African-American high school students' perceptions toward agriculture and careers in agriculture

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of African-American high school students toward agriculture and careers in agriculture.;The sample in this study consisted of 47 African-American students from junior and senior high schools in community school districts in Davenport, Iowa and Wilcox County, Alabama. The research methodology was that of focus groups (qualitative methodology). The survey instrument consisted of 12 statements describing perceptions about agriculture. Of those statements, five statements were orientation (lead in) questions.;The specific objectives of the study were to (1) assess the perceptions of African-American high school students toward agriculture, (2) ascertain the differences between Northern and Southern African-American students perceptions toward careers in agriculture, and (3) identify those factors which were perceived by African-American students as barriers to awareness of agricultural careers.;Some of the major implications and conclusions were: (1) Respondents from the south had more favorable perceptions about agriculture. (2) The media presented a negative image of agriculture to both groups of respondents. (3) The responding females had a more negative perception about careers in agriculture than did the male respondents. (4) The respondents in both groups held the same negative perceptions about agriculture. (Reisch, 1984). (5) Career awareness of these respondents was adversely affected by perceiving agriculture as little more than farming.