Abstract

In order for the agricultural industry to endure and flourish, a steady flow of highly qualified agricultural graduates must be maintained. This study assessed high school student interest within four programmatic areas of post-secondary agricultural education: communications, extension, leadership, and teaching. Researchers used the appreciative inquiry framework and its four phases as a lens to analyze collegiate recruitment efforts. Data included students in grades 9 through 12 who participated in one of the eight Montana District Leadership Conferences (DLCs) over the course of three years. Regarding programmatic specialization, participants most frequently indicated teacher education and extension as primary interest areas. Within these specialization areas, participants’ top three topics of interest were fair and livestock, building projects, and Leadership Development Event and Career Development Event participation. Findings possess significant implications for focusing collegiate recruitment efforts. First, academic departments should tie students’ interests to agricultural education program and career options. Second, they should continue to target traditional stakeholders with positive advancements in the profession. Third, they should expand efforts toward students not traditionally targeted. Fourth, they should utilize alumni to expand recruitment efforts and highlight alumni successes. Finally, academic departments should highlight specific courses, experiences, internships, and jobs associated with each programmatic specialization area.