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Revitalising Agricultural Extension Revitalising Agricultural Extension A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by L Falvey and B Matthews University of Melbourne November 1999 RIRDC Publication No 99/172 RIRDC Project No: UM-27A © 1999 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0 642 58021 9 ISSN 1440-6845 Revitalising Agricultural Extension Publication No. 99/172 Project No.: UM-27A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Professor Lindsay Falvey Dean and CEO Institute of Land and Food Resources The University of Melbourne PARKVILLE VIC 3052 Phone: 03 9344 5029 Fax: 03 9348 2156 RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in November 1999 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword Research funders, providers, educators and agricultural producers were surveyed for their views regarding the future directions and needs of agricultural and related education. Information was gathered concerning the missions, challenges and likely major changes facing universities and state government agencies associated with agriculture over the next ten years. An overriding focus on issues of environmental management and sustainability was evident in answers with a parallel need for closer interaction between providers of education and research and users of knowledge, that is producers. The need to attract high performing and motivated students to fields servicing agriculture was highlighted in the stakeholder survey as well as the literature review, and formed part of a second survey. This survey focused on the knowledge of students in regards to the various careers available in agriculture. Year 10 Victorian students from both metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions were surveyed as it was considered that they were at the stage of making first subject choices towards future career paths. A review of changes occurring in the land grant colleges of the United States and similar institutions in Scotland indicated concerns in similar areas. The report concluded that in common with the United States, existing provision of educational services is failing to meet current expectations of producers in terms of their need for information, creation of learning environments and involvement in decision making of educational providers. It was also noted however, that the development of an education/research provider partnership with industry was seen as a critical outcome of current debates by some persons from each of the employment categories surveyed. From the student survey it was determined that more work needs to be conducted to increase the profile of the variety of careers available in agricultural and related areas. This project is part of RIRDC's Human Capital, Communications and Information Systems R&D Program, which aims to facilitate innovation in the agricultural sector by improving the use of communication and education processes and appropriate information systems. Most of our diverse range of over 400 research publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/cat/contents.html Peter Core Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Contents Foreword ……………………………...…………………………………………………..iii Executive Summary .............................................................................................................v Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 Methodology .........................................................................................................................5 Background and Literature Review...................................................................................9 Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 9 Origins of Agricultural and Related Education in Australia ....................................................... 10 Agricultural Colleges in Australia............................................................................................... 11 Universities and Agricultural Education in Australia ................................................................. 15 United States and Northern Scotland - Relevance to Australia................................................... 17 United States- History of Land Grant Colleges (LGC) ............................................................... 18 Agricultural Education in the United States Today..................................................................... 20 National Academy of Sciences Board on Agriculture: The Future of the Colleges of Agriculture at the Land Grant Universities..................................................................................................... 21 Food Systems Professions Education Initiative........................................................................... 22 The Public View of Land Grant Universities: Results From a National Survey......................... 24 Conversations on Change Within Agricultural Science and Technology ................................... 24 Agriculture’s Role in K-12 Education......................................................................................... 25 Future Vision and Mission for the Programs in Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources on Land-Grant Universities .............................................................................................................. 25 Reinventing Agricultural Education for the Year 2020............................................................... 28 Summary...................................................................................................................................... 28 The ‘Scottish System’.................................................................................................................. 29 Changes........................................................................................................................................ 30 Stakeholders’ Views .................................................................................................................... 30 Attributes of Students Required by Employers ........................................................................... 31 Community Needs ....................................................................................................................... 31 Student Enrolment and Views .....................................................................................................32 Image............................................................................................................................................ 32 Rural-Urban Issues ...................................................................................................................... 34 Education Levels of Agriculturists ..............................................................................................34 Lifelong learning ......................................................................................................................... 35 Linkages....................................................................................................................................... 35 Linking Universities and Colleges of Agriculture....................................................................... 35 Vocational Education Programs .................................................................................................. 36 Government Involvement ............................................................................................................ 37 Stakeholders’ and Young Students’ Views ................................................................................. 37 Results .................................................................................................................................38 Appendix 1 ..........................................................................................................................63 Appendix 2 ..........................................................................................................................68 Appendix 3 ..........................................................................................................................73 References ...........................................................................................................................85 iv Executive Summary Chapter 1: Introduction In chapter one an outline of the structure and content of the report is given, including the background information to the report. Agricultural and related education for
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