Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item Significance of 4-H on the development of youth's coping skills(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2020) Evenson, Josie Christine; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Carl IgoPeople who reside in rural areas face challenges accessing the health and mental care they need. The lack of mental health resources creates an imperative need for finding avenues to help support youth in these areas. Youth organizations, such as 4-H, that promote positive development support the well-being of the individuals who participate in that program. Previous research on 4-H revealed youth who enroll in the program develop life skills through their participation. The research also exposed that there may be a correlation between life skills and coping skills, however, there has been little evidence to support this claim. Therefore, this study sought to answer the following question: In what significant ways do planned 4-H experiences impact 4-H members coping skills? To gather data eight Montana 4-H members were interviewed and nine adults associated with Montana 4-H participated in a focus group at a Montana 4-H event. The data was organized and then coded by the primary researcher and one committee member. All data was coded into four categories: productive coping, non-productive coping, reference to others and other. Youth reported using productive coping skills more than any other category with 66% of total responses being coded as such. Youth also reported using non-productive skills with a 11% response rate and reference to others with a 12% response rate. The other category had a 11% response rate. Adults reporting observing productive coping skills more than any other category with 58% of the total responses coded that way. The adults reported observing non-productive skills with a 5% response rate and reference to others with a 19% response rate. The adults had 18% of their results coded as other. Overall, both youth and adults reported that 4-H members are predominately using productive coping skills, which they have learned through their involvement in the 4-H program. Positive Youth Development programs like 4-H can provide avenues for youth and adults to work together to address mental health skills that a rural community may be lacking.Item Assessment of young and beginning producer practices in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Tintzman, Tyler William; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Shannon ArnoldThe agricultural industry is at a turning point regarding the labor force in the United States. The average age of the existing labor force continues to increase and fewer young and beginning farmers and ranchers (YBFR) are entering production agriculture. The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the experience of YBFR entering production agriculture and the working challenges they are facing. This phenomenological research study utilized semi-structured interviews with active YBFR in Montana to examine their experiences. Following analysis, seven different themes surrounding the experiences of YBFR in Montana were revealed. 1. Access to land, capital, and equipment is a significant barrier for a YBFR to enter production agriculture. 2. Developing a network of peers and finding a mentor within production agriculture is a valuable tool for a YBFR. 3. The use of governmental YBFR programs has a positive impact on the experience. 4. Crop insurance is a valued risk protection tool for YBFR operations. 5. Support from family members and industry peers positively impacts the financial and intellectual experience of a YBFR. 6. Continuing formal and non-formal education on the latest technologies and industry practices can assist a YBFR in creating a competitive business. 7. A thorough understanding of production costs on an agricultural operation will allow a YBFR to make fact based, objective decisions that lead to a more profitable operation. In conclusion, these seven themes were shared across participants to explain what and how they experienced being a YBFR in Montana. Further research should be conducted to better understand the impact of networking, mentorship, and the costs of production.Item An assessment of influences on organic agricultural producers' attitudes, behaviors, and decisions related to sustainable best management practices(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2018) Kurnick, Rebecca Anita; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Shannon ArnoldA definition for sustainable agriculture that spans competing agriculturalists' philosophies is ambiguous. Organic agriculture is a transformative approach that balances the goals of sustainable agriculture. Understanding how producers identify themselves may give insight as to what drives their decision to explore innovative practices. The purpose of this study was to assess influences on organic agricultural producers' attitudes, behaviors, and decisions related to sustainable best management practices. The objectives of this research were to: 1.) Describe organic agricultural producers' attitudes surrounding sustainable best management practices, 2.) Describe organic agricultural producers' behaviors surrounding sustainable best management practices, and 3.) Describe other influential factors on organic agricultural producers' decisions to adopt sustainable best management practices. Rogers' Diffusions of Innovations and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) were used to analyze organic producers' attitudes, behaviors, and decisions related to sustainable best management practices (BMP). This descriptive study utilized a survey research design of producer members of the Montana Organic Association. Data analysis was conducted utilizing Confirmatory Factor Analysis to assess the relationships between questions and constructs of the TPB. The strongest pairwise relationships indicated that respondents with a positive attitude to implement sustainable practices likely intend to implement them, and that respondents with a high intention to implement BMP likely will participate in the behavior. Respondents considered themselves risk takers, leaders, and deliberators who use an integrated whole farm approach. Influences of peers and social groups had a significant effect on producers' decisions to implement sustainable BMPs. Results suggest these theories are valuable to study agricultural producers' decisions. Future research should include a much larger population of organic and conventional agricultural producers to allow for the model to draw conclusions about broader populations. Sustainability can be a divisive topic. Future work utilizing the theories should include researching agriculturalists from all backgrounds on their feelings about non-production specific agricultural concepts and terminology. There is unlimited potential for uniting divided groups to solve common problems related to environmental resources, policy, and markets. Future research should include a larger sample of organic and conventional producers to draw conclusions about broader populations.Item Career decisions of agricultural education teaching graduates(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2017) Igo, Ethan Andrew; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dustin PerryThe purpose of this study was to explore potential influences that shape agricultural education teaching graduates' career decisions. This purpose lends itself to three objectives: 1. Identify potential reasons behind an agriculture education teaching graduate's decision to not enter the profession. 2. Identify potential reasons behind an agriculture education teaching graduate's decision to leave the profession. 3. Identify potential reasons behind an agriculture education teaching graduate's decision to stay in the profession.Item A history of vocational agriculture in Montana through 1960(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1961) Owen, Donald O.Item Perception of Gallatin County 4-H members regarding animal projects(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1995) Dalbey, Matthew David; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van ShelhamerItem A needs assessment of integrated resource management educational activities as perceived by cattle producers in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1996) Knerr, Virginia Lynn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van ShelhamerItem Perceptions of county agents and 4-H leaders toward fund-raising activities by the Montana 4-H Foundation(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1989) Connor, Jeffrey Flint; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van ShelhamerItem The use of plant tissue culture in agricultural education in the northwestern states(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1993) Lombardi, Bill L.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van ShelhamerItem Factors affecting the implementation of agriscience programs in Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1992) Cavey, Brian M.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. Van Shelhamer