Lack of Minority Participation in Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences
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Posted By: Nina Lyon-Bennett on February 26, 2024 The number of minorities beginning and completing degree programs has steadily declined. For colleges of agriculture, the picture is even bleaker, partly because of the negative perception that minority students have about the field of agriculture and partly because of a lack of concerted effort on the part of land‐grant universities to recruit, retain, and graduate minority students (Jordan & Williamson, 1990). Thus, the need to attract, retain, and train gifted and professionally prepared college graduates from diverse backgrounds to fill vital agricultural industry positions is clear. However, a number of studies have shown that minority youth do not receive the requisite knowledge or experiences necessary to develop positive attitudes toward Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANH) fields, and this lack of exposure creates a disconnect that prevents students from considering FANH-related careers (Jean-Phillippe, Richards, Gwinn, & Beyl, 2017; Lawrence, Rayfield, Moore & Outley, 2013; Rawls & Thomas, 1994). Other barriers exist, including factors such as urban students’ career choice (Esters & Bowen, 2004) and factors influencing enrollment in agriculture programs (Esters & Bowen, 2005; Hoover & Scanlon, 1991) that may hinder recruitment efforts of students from underrepresented groups into college-level FANH academic programs. These unaddressed barriers have contributed to a dearth of a skilled, diverse workforce. For students of color, particularly first-generation college students from urban communities, pursuing a career in an industry where you feel like you don't fit in can be intimidating. The sense of belonging is lacking, and for many students of color, particularly African Americans, the agriculture industry has not been very welcoming. Unfortunately, this lack of a sense of belonging is exacerbated by the misconception that agriculture is farming and human sciences is nothing more than home economics, which consists of cooking and sewing (Gonzalez, 2018). Many students of color lack the awareness of the professional and occupational opportunities in the FANH fields (i.e., veterinary medicine, economist, nutritionist, agriculture engineering, nutrition, early childhood administration, family therapy, food science, etc.). Moreover, students today do not understand the massive reach of agriculture as an industry and, most importantly, as a career path (Outley, 2008). Thus, the fact that most students of color are less likely to see individuals who look like them and come from similar backgrounds presents a challenge for recruitment, retention, and graduation. For example, a number of earlier studies have shown that a lack of exposure to the wealth of opportunities in FANH fields creates a disconnect that often prevents students from underrepresented groups from pursuing a major in this area or even considering FANH-related careers (Arrington and Price, 1983; Bowen, 1987; Bowen, 1994; Bowman & Shepard, 1985; Hunte, 1992; Larke & Barr, 1987; Lawrence, Rayfield, Moore, & Outley, 2013; Rawls & Thomas, 1994; Wiley, Bowen, Bowen, & Heinsohn, 1997). What this means, then, is that the agricultural workforce has become less agriculturally focused and, unfortunately, less diverse, particularly for African Americans. The lack of minority participation in the agricultural, food, and human sciences has sounded an alarm within the field. It has become a priority issue that needs to be addressed because increasing college access, retention, and persistence for students of color in FANH is not merely a matter of the United States' economic competitiveness but also a matter of equity (Palmer et al., 2011). There are employment opportunities for college graduates in food and agricultural sciences in a number of areas, including marketing, merchandising, and sales of agricultural products; scientific and technical careers; and managing water, land, and other natural resources that are used in the U.S. food system (Talbert et al., 2010). Despite the employment opportunities available in various areas of the agricultural sciences, researchers (Franklin et al., 2019) note that there is little doubt that minorities are underrepresented in academic departments at Land-grant Institutions (LGIs), in professional roles in agricultural industries and governmental agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Nina Lyon-Bennett
Assistant Dean for Academics, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Clark Atlanta University class of 1983 Member Since May 2021 |
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