The importance of comprehensive agricultural education in land-grant institutions: A historical perspective

Any thorough examination of the present and future of agricultural educatio n must certainly begin with a look into its past. Since the creation of the United States, many leading American philosophers have viewed a strong agr arian culture as the bedrock of American vigor. These same philosophers rep eatedly noted the significance of comprehensive agricultural education to a nation rich in agricultural wealth. The signing of the Agricultural Colleg es Act legitimized the concept of formal education in the agricultural scie nces and provided funding for such education. The Act, which came to be kno wn as the morrill Act, after one of its primary authors, stressed the impor tance of comprehensive education. In fact, the inclusion of liberal studies was specifically mentioned in the Morrill Act and was defended repeatedly by Morrill himself. Comprehensive education prevented graduating technicall y trained students who mere lacking in the basic outcomes of education-crit ical, comprehensive problem solving, cohesive thought, and effective commun ication. However, throughout history, the demands of a growing population c oupled with rapid advancements in scientific knowledge led to a gradual mov e away from comprehensive education in agricultural sciences toward increas ing specialization, resulting in more narrowly trained students. Today's ag ricultural students are technically well versed but often lack the skill an d knowledge required for cohesive thought and critical problem solving. Add ressing the multitude of challenges facing leaders in the future of agricul ture requires much more than technical skill. These challenges require quic k, yet careful thinkers and communicators who can respond to changing marke t structure and consumer demand in a dynamic way. Students who are a produc t of a conscious move toward amalgamation of burgeoning scientific knowledg e and technical prowess with an integrative education emphasizing relations hips between disciplines would better serve tomorrow's agriculture.