Abstract:
To gauge how agricultural students perceive environmental, social, and economic issues, it is necessary to determine what factors influence the risk and importance levels associated with current agricultural issues. Students (n = 112) at Louisiana Tech University majoring in agriculture were surveyed to gauge their perceptions on major issues in their industry. Issues identified by the students as the most important included: conserving natural resources, improving water quality and quantity, researching alternative fuels, and preserving endangered species. Statistical differences were found based on gender, GPA, age, academic major, background place of residence, among others. Overall, conserving natural resources and water quality and quantity issues were deemed more important than marketing, food preservation, technology, small farm survival, and labeling genetically altered food, indicating a preference for conserving rather than stimulating the economy or improving marketing or production practices.
Keywords:
future leaders, perceptions, industry
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