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This study describes the internal values that motivate non-traditional urban agriculture students to stay in the field and the external factors influencing the motivation of non-traditional urban agriculture students to remain in the field of agriculture. A phenomenological approach was employed to gather information on student motivation, engagement, background, knowledge, lived experiences, and post-graduation plans. The findings suggest that urban students of color have a favorable opinion of agriculture when provided with a systematic course of instruction in the agricultural sciences, particularly when the learning experiences align closely with their academic and career interests. However, it was concluded that while instruction in the agricultural sciences and positive agricultural youth organization experiences contribute to a positive perception of the agriculture industry, they do not necessarily lead to a career preference for agriculture among urban students of color. Urban students of color viewed local agricultural youth organization experiences favorably. However, they perceived that the [Future Farmers of America] FFA Organization above the school level is not inclusive of urban students of color. Finally, agriculture teachers, mentors, and role models support positive academic performance and career development choices in urban students of color.

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Research has shown that agricultural education graduates are hesitant to enter the profession and seemingly quick to leave, often citing long work hours as a main contributing factor. As the shortage of agricultural teachers continues, there is concern over the balance of career and family and its effect on the profession. The purpose of this study was to examine the issue of career and family balance for Georgia agricultural teachers by gender. It was determined that Georgia agricultural teachers were working an average of 57 hours per week and 39 days per summer, with both genders being similar in the amount of time spent on the job. Teachers carried out traditional gender roles in family responsibilities, with females handling the majority of the housework and childcare and males handling the majority of farm and yard work. One third of respondents reported that it was always difficult or impossible to balance career and family.

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