Faculty Profiles

Research Goal: To better understand and measure the short, medium, and long-term effects of school-based agricultural education programs upon increasing agricultural literacy and preparing a workforce to meet cross-disciplinary needs of the 21st century.

A significant, continuing shortage of qualified candidates entering agricultural careers has persisted in the United States. The influence of school-based agricultural education (SBAE) on graduates’ decisions to enter these agricultural careers has been previously unknown. It has been argued that SBAE produces twin outcomes of producing citizens who are agriculturally literate and lifelong learners as well as preparing graduates ready to enter the skilled agricultural workforce (Roberts & Ball, 2009). While the roots of agricultural education were based in providing career training, students graduating from SBAE programs have not always pursued agriculture-related careers after high school. Given the shortage of qualified candidates prepared to enter the agriculture workforce, the influence of SBAE programs on the postsecondary career choices of program graduates has needed examination. The long-term effects of SBAE on program graduates’ agricultural literacy, as well as their occupational and educational choices have been unknown. Measurement of programmatic impacts would allow agricultural educators to make informed decisions regarding the effectiveness of program delivery, and program stakeholders to understand the short and long-term outcomes of student participation in SBAE.

I am interested in studying the career development of individuals who enter careers in agriculture through various means in an effort to encourage more individuals to pursue employment in this area.

Selected Publications

• LaRose, S. E., Colclasure, B. C., Warner, A. J., Barry, D. M., & Osborne, E. W. (2023). Why Teach? Exploring the Motivations and Expectations of First-Year, Alternatively Certified Agriscience Teachers. Journal of Research in Technical Careers, 7(1), pp. 1-19. View Publication
• Talbert, B. A., & LaRose, S. E. (2023, July (3rd Quarter/Summer) ). Are FFA Members Career Ready?. Agricultural Education Magazine, pp. 12-14.
• LaRose, S. E. (2023, June ). School Gardens. Agricultural Education Magazine.
• Talbert, B. A., Croom, B., LaRose, S., Vaughn, R., & Lee, J. (2022). Foundations of Agricultural Education. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.
• Barry, D. M., Warner, A. J., LaRose, S. E., Colclasure, B. C., & Osborne, E. W. (2022). Personal resilience of first-year, alternatively certificed agriscience teachers.. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 3(1), pp. 103-114. View Publication
• LaRose, S. E., Bledsoe, A. A., & Talbert, B. A. (2021, July (3rd Quarter/Summer) ). With a Faith Born Not of Words, but of Deeds: Becoming an Inclusive Agricultural Educator. Agricultural Education Magazine, pp. 8-10.
• Fuelling, K., & LaRose, S. E. (2021, May ). How can Mastery Learning Elevate Your Classroom?. Agricultural Education Magazine, pp. 23-24.
• Marks, D., LaRose, S., Brady, C. M., Erasmus, M. A., & Karcher, E. L. (2021). Integrated STEM and poultry science curriculum to increase agricultural literacy. Poultry Science, 100(101319), p. 9.
• Copeland, B. A., Talbert, B. A., LaRose, S., & Russell, M. A. (2020). College and Career Ready? A Snapshot of 12th Grade National FFA Members. Journal of Agricultural Education, 61(4), pp. 90-108. American Association for Agricultural Education. View Publication

• ASEC 34000 – Laboratory Practices in Agricultural Education
• ASEC 34100 – Curriculum Development in Agricultural Education
• ASEC 44000 – Methods of Teaching Agricultural Education
• ASEC 54100 – Program Development in Agricultural Education