41 - Rural Voices Rising: Engaging Rural High School Students in Conversations Around the Types of Higher Education Agricultural Programs That Best Suit their Needs and the Needs of Their Communities

Abstract Information: In considering the types of majors and courses to offer to undergraduate students residing in rural areas, who better to ask about what is most needed and desired than the future college students themselves! This evaluation engaged rural high school students in the San Luis Valley, Colorado using a mixed methods approach to understand the kinds of agricultural education programs that are most exciting and seen as most valuable to this population. The evaluation utilized youth participatory action research (YPAR) methods in a small group setting as well as a regional high school youth survey to ascertain not only the types of agricultural education programs that are in high demand by employers in the region but importantly which majors will actually draw interested students to enroll.