The Influence of A 6-Day Fieldtrip on Students’ Perception of Sustainable Agriculture

Suresh Krishnasamy; John Gaughan; Shane Campbell; Angela Lees; Trish O'Hara; Melody Thomson

Authors

Suresh Krishnasamy http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8112-2880
John Gaughan Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, St Lucia, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5395-6901
Shane Campbell https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7231-9067
Angela Lees https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4898-2843
Trish O'Hara
Melody Thomson

Keywords:

Field Trip Impact, Sustainable Agriculture, Student Perception

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Today’s students are the future and will need to make informed decisions towards sustainability targets. Fostering a positive perception of sustainable agriculture among students is vital for ensuring that future generations are prepared to support and advance practices that promote ecological balance, economic stability, and social well-being and foster increased agricultural outputs to support a growing global population.

AIMS

The project aimed to examine the influence of a structured field trip on students’ perceptions of sustainable agriculture by immersing students in a diversity of agriculture practices and exposing them to real-world applications and challenges in the field, to give them a toolbox to identify and develop sustainable practices.

DESCRIPTION OF INTERVENTION

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science program at The University of Queensland embark on a 6-day field trip to Central Queensland forming a component of their capstone course. The field trips undertaken in 2022 and 2023 involved visiting 11 locations with students attending presentations and tours with farm owners regarding practices in agriculture, with a focus on sustainable approaches.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A pre-test and post-test quantitative study was conducted using a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale containing 18 statements (9 positive, 9 negative) related to perceptions of sustainable agriculture. Descriptive statistics analyzed cohort level changes, while a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test assessed individual perception shifts.

RESULTS

The results showed a positive impact on student perceptions with overall cohort data showing an improved shift in student perceptions across all statements. This was also consistent with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test which showed significant shifts in 7 (4 negative and 3 positive) statements.

CONCLUSIONS

Two years of student cohorts have highlighted that this field trip has a positive impact on student perceptions of sustainable agriculture while exposing them real-world applications and challenges in the field.