Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1995

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural and Extension Education

Major Professor

Randol G. Waters

Committee Members

Roy R. Lessly, J. Mark Fly

Abstract

Statement of the Problem

The National 4-H Forestry Invitational has been in existence for 14 years. During that time, the International Paper Foundation, not to be confused with the International Paper Company, has supported and contributed to the Invitational. There is a need to determine and characterize the benefits of participants of the Invitational. There is also a need to know whether 4-H members who participated in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational have attitudes toward forestry and knowledge of forest practices of a different perspective than other 4-H members who have not participated in the Invitational.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study involved five objectives. First, the study identified the demographics of three groups which included participants of the National 4-H Forestry Invitational for the years 1991 through 1993, 4-H members who were involved in the forestry education program but did not attend the Invitational, and 4-H members who were not involved in the forestry education program in any way. The study investigated the perceived benefits participants received from the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, and determined the differences between Invitational participants and non-participants regarding their knowledge of forestry practices and attitudes about forestry issues. Lastly, the study investigated the relationship between the three groups with regard to their planned career choice.

Methodology

A questionnaire was developed to answer the research objectives of the study. Data gathered for the study were analyzed using The University of Tennessee Computing Center IBM 3081 mainframe computer and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) release 4.1. Descriptive statistics and appropriate inferential tests were used in the analysis.

Findings1. There were more females than males who responded to the study, and there were more respondents who had a farm or rural background than from a city. The greatest number of respondents planned to go to college or graduate school, and there were more respondents who had been in the 4-H Club five years or more than any other length of time.

2. There was an overall positive attitude regarding the Invitational by participants. Perceptions of Invitational participants regarding how young people benefit from the National 4-H Forestry Invitational were very positive.

3. Respondents' scores for a general forestry knowledge test indicated that Invitational participants had a greater knowledge of general forestry practices than did those who did not participate in the Invitational. Further, those who participated in the 4-H forestry education program had a greater general knowledge of forestry practices than did 4-H members who did not participate in the 4-H forestry education program in any way.

4. Responses given to seven statements regarding general forest issues were consistent with the idea that all 4-H members are concerned about the environment. Although Invitational participants indicated that they perceive the contest helps young people recognize the importance of the environment, other 4-H member appear to share in this understanding. There were also seven statements regarding forest practices. Respondents had a positive attitude toward the use of prescribed burning, a negative attitude toward the use of chemical weed control, and were somewhat "uncommitted" toward the use of clearcutting. All respondents appeared to have a perception that there needs to be a proper balance between the protection of the environment and the economy.

5. Most respondents planned a career not related to forestry. However, participants in the Invitational were more likely to choose to enter forestry related careers than were members who did not participate in the Invitational.

Recommendations

1. Participants in the Invitational were primarily rural youth with farming backgrounds. Perhaps program planners may consider to increase participation of non-traditional youth in an effort to have more impact upon the "general public".

2. The Invitational should continue to be a part of the 4-H forestry education program as it appears to be positively impacting upon participants' general knowledge of forestry practices.

3. The perception by all 4-H youth, including Invitational participants, that there is less forest land today than 50 years ago and that there are more pine forests than hardwood forests, suggest that educational program planners need to focus attention upon these incorrect perceptions.

4. The use of common forest management practices such as chemical weed control and clearcutting are not perceived positively by 4-H members. Program planners should consider the implications of this finding and adjust the educational program as appropriate, if this attitude is to be changed.

5. Additional study needs to be conducted to understand 4-H members' attitudes toward the practice of selective tree cutting.

6. Finally, this study should be replicated periodically in an effort to continually assess the benefits of participation in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational.

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