Factors associated with membership and non-membership status in FFA of black Americans from selected NFA states

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of selected socio-demographic variables and attitudinal variables on membership vs. non-membership in the FFA. The groups under investigation were 602 black tenth grade vocational students from 66 high schools in five former NFA states. Criteria for selection of high schools were: (a) must have a high school vocational agriculture program; and (b) must have at least 10 per cent black enrollment in vocational agriculture.

Data collected from the sample groups were primarily analyzed using chi-square tests between members and non-members. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (r) coefficient was used to determine the relationship between percentage black FFA membership and percentage black vocational agriculture enrollment.

Responses between FFA members and non-members differed significantly in nine of the sixteen variables.

FFA members are more likely to attend rural schools, be children of farmers, live in areas of less than 2,500 population, believe that anyone can be successful in FFA, and respect farmers and farming than vocational agriculture students who are not FFA members. No significant difference between members and non-members could be found on the following variables: the name of the organization, the attitudes toward agriculture, race of student and his/her advisor and reasons for enrolling in vocational agriculture. Fifty-two percent of the students sampled were FFA members. A significant relationship was found between percentage black vocational agriculture enrollment and percentage black FFA membership.