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  • Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research
    Vol. 76 No. 4 (2025)

  • Vol. 69 No. 01 (2019)

    The manuscripts in Volume 69, Issue 1 (2019) of the Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research (JSAER) focus on advancing agricultural education through improved leadership models, addressing systemic challenges in Extension, enhancing student motivation and diversity, and aligning academic training with workforce needs.

    Leadership and Organizational Theory

    • Social Network Analysis: Research identifies social network analysis as a valuable tool for measuring network emergence and development within leadership programs, highlighting how individuals interact and seek advice.

    • New Leadership Models: A philosophical review proposes a theory-based organizational leadership model distinct from management, providing a framework for leaders to adapt to social, economic, and technological changes.
    Extension Challenges and International Perspectives

    • County-Level Obstacles: A qualitative study outlines persistent internal challenges in Cooperative Extension, including high employee turnover and marketing deficits, alongside external threats such as reduced funding and changing demographics.

    • International Fertilizer Adoption: Research in Uganda explores the barriers subsistence farmers face in adopting mineral fertilizers, emphasizing that membership in formally recognized farmer groups significantly improves access to training and resources.
    Student Motivation and Program Diversity

    • SAE Participation: An inquiry into Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs identifies family tradition, financial incentives, and the National FFA Organization's award system as primary motivators for student engagement.

    • Minority Recruitment: To address the lack of ethnic diversity in agricultural programs, studies propose strategies such as making personal connections, using peer-to-peer recruitment, and showcasing successful minority role models in the field.
    Workforce Preparation and Competencies

    • Skilled Workforce Needs: Using the Delphi technique, local leaders identified essential competencies for high school graduates in agricultural and environmental practices, emphasizing life/leadership "soft skills," core subject knowledge, and technical proficiency.

    • Employability of Graduates: Research examines how life experiences and specific growth areas affect the employability of land-grant college graduates, helping bridge the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations.
    Vision for the Field

    • Distinguished Lecture: The issue concludes with a call for agricultural educators to ask more "beautiful questions," to address the uncomfortable, challenging inquiries that drive excellence and significant outcomes for students and stakeholders.