Abstract

This qualitative study explored the current status of school-based agricultural education (SBAE) in 1890 land-grant institutions (1890s). The authors interviewed opinion-leader participants at the 1890s regarding their experiences to determine their institutions’ engagement in SBAE. Participants reported there is a national shortage of secondary agricultural teachers, especially among minority populations. Institutions where the SBAE programs have not gone dormant desire to resurrect them, and most agreed that, in order to grow SBAE enrollment, it is necessary to enhance recruitment. As a group, 1890 universities are well positioned to address the lack of diversity in SBAE, especially when collaborating with their respective 1862 land-grant institutions. It is recommended that future studies include input from other land-grant institutions to work collaboratively to address the changing demographics of the U.S. and agricultural education.