hartnell college salinas, ca...
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Hartnell College Salinas, CA
Kristen Arps Program Coordinator
Dr. Susan Pheasant Director
iAgriculture: Ag Career
Exploration in the Field
Agricultural Business & Technology Institute
CTE Fall Conference
Rancho Mirage, CA
November 20, 2014
Agenda � Introduction � Context � Program Overview � Process: Design, Plan, Implement � Assessment: Outcomes and Feedback � Reflection: Lessons Learned � Questions and Discussion
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
What is iAgriculture? � Ag career exploration program � Not-For-Credit activities/workshops � For community college and high school
students � Experiential learning � Local agribusiness operations � Four-year university ag programs � Pilot funding: NIFA Grant
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Context
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
pic of the CAT??
Hartnell CC District � Salinas Valley – “Salad Bowl of the World” � Approx. 15,000 students annually
(unduplicated) � 3 campuses � A Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) � 65% of students are Latino/Hispanic � Many first-generation college students
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Hartnell CC District � 85% receive federal and/or state
financial assistance � 90% unprepared for college level math � 85% unprepared for college level English � Less than 10% of adults in District have
a bachelor’s degree or higher � 39% of adults over 25 years old in District do not
have a high school diploma
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Agricultural Business & Technology Institute Approx. 600 students enrolled in Ag courses
Degree Programs � A.S. in Agriculture
� Ag Business emphasis � Ag Production emphasis � Sustainable Ag emphasis (in progress)
� Horticulture Technician emphasis (in progress)
� A.S. in Advanced Diesel Technology � A.S. in Ag Industrial Technology (in progress)
Certificates also available in the above areas.
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Agricultural Business & Technology Institute
Certificate Programs � Agricultural & Industrial Technology Program
� Industrial Mechanics Certificate � Industrial Technician Certificate
� Food Safety Certificate � Welding Technology Certificate � Automotive Technology Certificate
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
iAgriculture
Program Overview
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Program Goals Increase students’ awareness and knowledge of: � Careers and career pathways in agriculture � Programs and courses � Themselves � The agriculture industry
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Program Design � Workshop series including guest speakers and
field trips/site visits to local agribusinesses and transfer schools w/ ag programs
� Classroom activities to provide framework for group discussion, personal reflection, and professional development (during iAg Week only)
� iAg Week: 1 full week in August before school started (5 days, 9am-5pm daily)
� Monthly activities during Fall semester, including field trips and visits to transfer schools
� Certificates of Participation issued
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
iAgriculture
Implementation Process
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Process Overview � Logistics � Industry/Agency Outreach � Marketing and Recruiting � Curriculum � Assessment
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Logistics � Scheduling � Transportation � Food � Classroom space � Authorization forms � Thank you gifts
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Industry/Agency Outreach “We’ve been waiting for you to ask!”
Contacts made via: � Hartnell Foundation Ag Steering Committee � Ag Institute Program Advisory Committees � AgKnowledge � Service organizations � Cold-calls � Referrals � Personal Interest/Life-long Learning
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Marketing & Recruitment iAg Week Pre-program marketing and recruitment:
� Press release � Local media via our PR person � Industry contacts emailed, asked to post for
employees � Flyers � Summer classes
Post-program publicity: � President’s Weekly Report � KION news
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Marketing & Recruitment iAg Fall Semester
Pre-program marketing and recruitment: � Flyers � Faculty asked to promote (some gave extra credit) � Class visits � Counselors � Student leaders and student clubs (Ag Ambassadors) � Emails sent to industry contacts (to post for employees) � Started to build database of “Ag Enthusiasts” and did
most recruiting via email
Post-program publicity: � President’s Weekly Report � Steering Committee and Program Advisory Committees
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Curriculum/Activities Site Visits � 3 Large-scale grower operations: berries, leafy
greens, mushrooms � 2 Small-scale organic farms � 2 Flower production companies: orchids, cut flowers � 3 Laboratories: food safety testing, pest
management/disease control, berry breeding/genomics
� 2 Ag machinery fabrication/manufacturing plants � 1 Terminal/wholesale market: floral (pending)
3 Transfer School Visits
1 Service-Learning Activity
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Curriculum/Activities Guest Speaker Presentation Topics: � Orientation in Food Safety Training in the Field
(train-the-trainer) � Orientation in Food Safety Sampling and Testing � Agricultural Research (USDA-ARS/UCDavis) � Natural Resource Conservation (USDA-NRCS) � Pest Management with Canine Inspection Teams � Ag Sales and Marketing � Ag Law � Ag Internship Programs
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Curriculum/Activities Classroom Activities & Discussions � Why agriculture? � Reflection on impressions of agriculture and
personal experiences � Informational interviewing / professional networking � Compare/contrast agribusinesses visited � Compare/contrast ag careers seen � Games: Ag Career Bingo, Ag Career Race,
Scavenger Hunt, Getting-to-Know-You Bingo � Career advice received � Agribusiness best practices observed/learned � Sampling assignment for lab presentation
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Curriculum/Activities iAg Week Binder � Field Log � Worksheets for classroom activities � Job Search Guide � Informational Interview Guide � How to Write a Thank You Note � List of speakers and sites visited � Hartnell courses/certificates/degrees � UC & CSU ag transfer schools/degrees � Small notebooks for notes in field
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Curriculum/Activities Field Log (sample components) � Site Visit Record
� Observations and Reactions � Lessons Learned / Key Takeaways � Plan to Research Further / Learn More About
� Career in Focus � Professional observed � Description of job/career � Aspects I liked / didn’t like � Education/training needed � Is this career an option for me?
� Informational Interview Record � Ag Lexicon – Key Terms & Concepts
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Assessment iAg Week � Final written reflections (with prompts) � Classroom discussions/focus group � Embedded in curriculum � Team debrief � Registration and participation data
Fall Semester � Qualitative surveys � Registration and participation data
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Assessment iAg Week Final Reflection Prompts: � How have your ideas, impressions, understandings of
agriculture changed this week (if at all)? � What did you learn that was completely new to you
this week? � Is there anything that you wish you had learned
about that you did not? � How might you use what you’ve learned in your
academic plans? In your professional career? In life in general?
Program Evaluation Prompts: � Suggestions for content, logistics, recruiting
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
iAgriculture
Program Outcomes
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Participation Great response for pilot program: 49 participants total (unduplicated)
Nearly 8% of Hartnell agriculture students
High no-show rate: 33 registered but did not attend (unduplicated)
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Participant Profile
Male 52%
Female 48%
Gender – Almost 50/50
Under 18 7%
18-24 66%
25-39 9%
40+ 9%
Unknown 9%
Age - Average 22 years old
Under 18
18-24
25-39
40+
unknown
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Participant Profile
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
25%
18%
16%
10%
6%
3%
11%
11%
Program/Interest
Ag Production
Ag Business
Food Safety
Hort/Crop Science/Greenhouse
Welding/Fabrication
Marketing/Communication
Ag - General/Other
Unknown
Participant Feedback Participants learned… � “There are hundreds of career paths in ag from
being scientists to laborers to environmentalists and the list just go on and on.”
� “There is a broad amount of branches in the ag world.”
� “There are a lot of other avenues to study in Agriculture.”
� “All the different types of backgrounds people had and how they ended up in the ag business.”
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Participant Feedback Participants appreciated… � “The opportunity to experience the “hands on” work like getting
into the labs.” � “Walking through the shops and watching people work.” � “How humble some of the owners were, how willing to share their
knowledge and experience with us.” � “Overall meeting great people who really enjoy and love
agriculture.” � “Being able to talk to people in the ag business who have been
doing it for a while.” � “Seeing and talking to different people with different backgrounds
that involve Ag.” � “The communication the professors gave and how friendly the
students are is the atmosphere I want to be surrounded by.” � “How we are given the opportunity to see our options.” � “Overall I found everything valuable, meeting the faculty, students
that transfer here, their stories. Most important though, would be the philosophy, learning by doing.”
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Participant Feedback Participants found interesting… � “The differences between the Big Grower vs. the
Small Grower, Organic needs vs. Conventional needs.”
� “How everyone in the group works together to [reach] one objective.”
� “To observe how they put their skills into work.” � “How much engineering goes into the layout and
planning of design and how that template is fabricated based on what the customer wants.”
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Participant Feedback Participants determined that… � “You can absolutely find your passion and find a job
in ag!” � “What I am studying for is the correct choice for me. � “It also encouraged me to continue and finish.” � “I will use what I learned to choose the career that
best fits me.” � “I was just going to stop at Hartnell, but maybe I really
want to transfer.” � “Today's trip has pushed me even further into
majoring and pursuing a career in agriculture.” � “I can make it to transfer to this school and that there
are a lot of opportunities that we can take.” � “I would also like to come back to my community
and do all the opportunities offered.”
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Host/Speaker Feedback � “It was a great pleasure speaking with your students and I
am excited to hear they enjoyed the exposure to career opportunities in food.”
� “Please feel free to contact me in the future with any such opportunities or educational programs you might be putting together.”
� “It was my pleasure. I always like talking to and with students especially about farmland conservation issues and careers in agriculture.”
� “It a pleasure for me to host your college students at any time my farm is always open for any one that wishes to learn on how to grow organic food. Also keep in mind that at any time you guys need anything related to my experience I'm here to help.”
� “I hope that you will arrange a similar tour in the future!”
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Outcomes/Impact iAgriculture increases student awareness of: � Career options in agriculture � Steps necessary to start on different career pathways � Education and training opportunities available at
Hartnell and beyond � Agribusiness operations and systems through
experiential learning – which also reinforces classroom learning in ag courses
iAgriculture increases student: � Experience speaking and networking with
professionals � Confidence and pride and ability to honor ag
heritage � Comfort-level and familiarity
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Outcomes/Impact iAgriculture increases industry: � Awareness of the Hartnell Ag Institute programs � Connection to Hartnell students as potential interns
and employees
iAgriculture offers faculty: � Opportunities to enhance classroom learning
without using class time or resources � Connection to industry and current industry
practices
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
iAgriculture
Lessons Learned, Looking to the Future
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
What went well? � High student satisfaction
� Site visits interesting and eye-opening � Interactive presentations engaging and
informative � Encouraged and excited about career options
� Classroom activities reinforced learning in field � Wide variety of businesses/agencies and
careers covered, exposed students to a lot � Connections with industry hosts/speakers � Marketing and recruiting � Logistics
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
What would we do differently? � Daily program evaluation (not just at end of
week) � Increase activities that encourage critical
thinking and analysis, application to their lives, as well as personal reflection and group discussion (daily)
� Evaluate design and schedule to maximize positive impact: what frequency, how many days, how full each day should be
� More high school student recruitment
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
What would we do differently? � Vet speakers/plan with them ahead of time
� Content and format of presentations � Clear guidelines, expectations, time limits
� Gauge expectations better (students’ and ours) � How to address no-show issue?
� Coordinators would know more about current student services and resources (both were brand new)
� More use of social media and website (wasn’t set up at that time)
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Goals for the Future � Continue agribusiness visits to encompass every
major crop and career within local ag industry, particularly those that correspond to the certificates and degrees offered by Hartnell
� Continue to utilize guest speakers to educate, train and motivate students � technical content � “soft skills” such as leadership, communication,
professionalism and other employability skills � Continue ag-related service-learning/volunteer
opportunities
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Goals for the Future � Continue transfer school visits and provide more
than one visit to each per year � Hold regular agriculture career/education
information sessions at Hartnell and local high schools
� Include more Monterey County high school students in all activities
� Branch out to site visits in other regions (in CA, in US, international)
� Incorporate industry and association events and trainings
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Goals for the Future � Integrate into a larger career development
curriculum/program, including internships and resume/interview/job prep workshops
� Integrate into the curriculum of relevant courses � Participation of at least 20% of Hartnell
agriculture students � Become a core pillar of the Ag Institute
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Questions and Discussion
iAgriculture: Ag Career Exploration in the Field
Contact us: Kristen Arps Susan Pheasant, Ph.D. [email protected] [email protected]
Thank you to the following for making iAgriculture possible: National Institute of Food & Agriculture
Hartnell College & Dr. Zahi Kanaan-Atallah, Dean of Advanced Technology Grower Shipper Association Foundation Monterey County Ag Commission Office
Darlene Din