PERFORMANCE AUDIT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE EDUCATION YOUNG FARMER PROGRAM ADULT AGRICULTURE/SHORT-TERM CLASSES PROGRAM SEPTEMBER 1994 PERFORMANCE AUDIT OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL .............................. i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................... 11 REPORT OVERVIEW Program Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Audit Objectives, Scope, and Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Synopses of Audit Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ................................. 7 Young Farmer Program ............................................ 7 Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program ......................... 10 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................... 13 Young Farmer Program ............................................ 13 Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 APPENDIX A: Counties With Young Farmer Programs ................. 29 APPENDIX B: Young Farmer Program Fiscal Year 1993 Expenditures ..... 30 APPENDIX C: Counties Providing Short-Term Adult Vo-Ag Classes ....... 31 APPENDIX D: Short-Term Classes Program Fiscal Year 1993 Expenditures . 32 APPENDIX E: Adult Vocational Agriculture Courses Taught in Fiscal Year 1993 and Reimbursed Through the Short-Term Classes Program .................................. 33 APPENDIX F: Top 10 FY93 Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Courses and Similar Postsecondary School Course Offerings . . . . . . . . . . 35 CLAUDE L. VICKERS STATE AUDITOR (404) 6562174 DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS 254 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 214 Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400 September 7, 1994 The Honorable Zell Miller, Governor Members of the General Assembly Members of the Board of Education The Honorable Werner Rogers State Superintendent of Schools, Department of Education Ladies and Gentlemen: This report provides the results ofthe performance audit ofthe Young Farmer Program and the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program within the Department of Education. The audit was conducted as part of an ongoing program ofperformance auditing conducted by the Department of Audits under the authority granted the State Auditor by OCGA 50-6-24. A copy of this report is filed as a permanent record with the State Auditor and is available to the public. Appreciation is expressed to the Department ofEducation for the cooperation and assistance provided during the audit. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ Claude L. Vickers State Auditor CLV/kd/ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Performance Audit Department of Education: Vocational Agriculture Education September 1994 The Young Farmer Program was created to provide agricultural education, fellowship, and technical support to out-of-school adults whose vocational objective is to become established and/or more proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness. Our review of the Young Farmer Program found that: Although the Program has been in existence since 1952, the Department has not implemented formal methods to measure and evaluate benefits resulting from the Program and cannot clearly demonstrate that Program activities address significant needs within the vocational agriculture community that are not also being addressed by other programs or services. (Page 13, Finding No. 1) Clearly defined goals and objectives have not been established for the Program and the Department has no formal procedures for measuring the Program's actual performance. (Page 17, Finding No. 2) Department personnel review and monitor Program activity data. However, existing controls and procedures do not ensure that local Young Farmer Programs comply with Program requirements. (Page 18, Finding No. 3) Georgia's Young Farmer Program teachers spend about 9% of their time organizing, coordinating, and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association. Program funding associated with these activities totalled about $194,000 during fiscal year 1993. Although this level of effort has resulted in Georgia having the largest state association membership in the nation, the Department was unable to show us any additional benefits accruing to the State as a result of this level of effort. (Page 20, Finding No. 4) The Adult Agriculture Program was created to provide assistance to high school vocational agriculture teachers. These teachers currently have the option of teaching adult vocational agriculture classes and their respective local school systems receive reimbursement for the instruction that they provide. The ShortTerm Classes Program is the mechanism by which this reimbursement is provided. Our review of the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes (AA/ST) Program found that: Insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate that Program resources are only used to fund activities that address significant needs that are not currently being fulfilled by other programs or services. Vocational agriculture services are provided; however, we found similar instructional services available elsewhere. Other AA/ST Program services and activities have not been shown to be clearly beneficial or are also provided through the Young Farmer Program. (Page 23, Finding No. 1) Clearly defined goals and objectives have not been established for the AA/ST Program. In addition, the Department has no formal procedures for measuring the Program's performance. (Page 27, Finding No. 2) Vocational Agriculture Education 1 REPORT OVERVIEW Program Overview This audit evaluates the Young Farmer Program and the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program funded through the Department of Education's High School Program budget line item Two other vocational agriculture programs are also funded through the High School Program budget line item. These two rrngrams -- Food Processing and Youth Camps -- are addressed in separately released audit reports. Young Farmer Program The Young Farmer Program exists to provide agricultural education, fellowship, and technical support to out-of-school adults whose vocational objective is to become established and/or more proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness The Young Farmer Program grew out of the federal Veterans Farm Training Program which was established shortly after World War II. In 1952, eight pilot programs were established to train Georgia's young farmers. These pilot programs were the precursors of today's Young Farmer Program. The Program's purpose is to provide agricultural education, fellowship, and technical support to out-of-school adults whose vocational objective is to become established and/or more proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness. Young farmer teachers, headquartered at local high schools, are under the direct supervision of the principal or the principal's designee. They are required to organize and conduct courses for the young farmers, teach at least one in-school agriculture class to high school students, and organize and coordinate activities of local chapters Vocational Agriculture Education 2 In fiscal year 1993, $2.14 million was expended in salaries, benefits, and travel for 52 young farmer teachers of the Georgia Young Farmers Association. In fiscal year 1993, $2.14 million in State funds was expended in salaries, benefits, and travel for 52 young farmer teachers located in 48 counties. These teachers reported instructing or supervising over 37,100 young farmers and high school students during fiscal year 19931 Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program The Adult Agriculture Program was created to provide assistance to high school vocational agriculture teachers, including conducting organized classes for persons engaged in or interested in agriculture and/or agribusiness, assisting in the maintenance and operation of specialized facilities and equipment, and assisting with the high school teachers' technical in-service training Local school systems are reimbursed for the adult instruction provided by the high school vocational agriculture teachers through the Short-Term Classes Program Over $1.27 million was expended by the Adult Agriculture/ShortTerm Classes Program in fiscal year 1993 The Adult Agriculture Program was created in 1954 to provide assistance to high school vocational agriculture teachers. Examples of the types of assistance provided by adult agriculture teachers to these high school vocational agriculture teachers include conducting organized classes for individuals engaged in or interested in agriculture and/or agribusiness, helping the teachers maintain and operate specialized facilities and equipment, and assisting with the high school vocational agriculture teachers' technical in-service training. Adult agriculture teachers, headquartered at the Department's vocational agriculture district offices, are under the direct supervision of the Department's State Supervisor of Agricultural Education and their respective district supervisor. The Short-Term Classes Program compensates local school systems for the short-term adult instruction provided by the high school vocational agriculture teachers. In fiscal year 1993, the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program expended over $1.27 million in State funds: $1.18 million in salaries, benefits, travel, and supplies for 19 adult agriculture teachers and over $91,000 in reimbursements for 1 Unaudited figures. Vocational Agriculture Education 3 vocational agriculture teachers conducting the short-term classes. Adult agriculture teachers reported providing instruction to about 10,600 adults and assisting about 3,400 local vocational agriculture teachers during fiscal year 19932 Audit Objectives, Scope, and Methodology The objectives of this audit were to: evaluate the adequacy of the Department's efforts in establishing Program goals and objectives, assess the effectiveness of the Department's procedures for measuring the Programs' progress in attaining their respective goals and objectives, and assess the continued need for the Programs considering the benefits resulting from the Programs, the availability of similar programs and/or services, and the costs of providing the existing Program services. The audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards The audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards and focused on fiscal years 1992 and 1993. The scope of this audit included all activities of the Young Farmer Program and the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program. Audit methodology included: interviews with appropriate Department of Education personnel; reviews of programmatic and financial data; reviews of applicable laws, regulations, and policies; and on-site file reviews and interviews with representatives of five Young Farmer Programs and five Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Programs. 2 Unaudited figures. Vocational Agriculture Education 4 The entire report was discussed with appropriate personnel in the Department of Education. Pertinent responses from the Department were evaluated and are reflected in the audit report as appropriate. Synopses of Audit Findings Young Farmer Program 1. Although the Young Farmer Program has been in existence since 1952, the Department has not implemented formal methods to measure and evaluate benefits resulting from the Program. In addition, the Department cannot clearly demonstrate that Program activities address significant needs within the vocational agriculture community that are not also being addressed by other programs or services. We recommend that the Department formally assess the need for the Young Farmer Program as it currently operates based upon the actual benefits resulting from existing Program activities, existing needs within the vocational agriculture community, and the availability of other educational programs and services. The Department should also initiate cooperative efforts with other providers of agriculture information and education to identify and eliminate any areas of overlapping service delivery. (Page 13) 2. Clearly defined goals and objectives have not been established for the Young Farmer Program. In addition, although Program activity data is captured, the Department has no formal procedures for measuring the Program's actual performance. As a result, the Department is unable to show that the Program represents an efficient and effective use of State funds. (Page 17) 3. Department personnel review and monitor Program activity data. However, existing controls and procedures do not ensure that local Young Farmer Programs comply with Program requirements. We recommend that the Department Vocational Agriculture Education 5 take a proactive, "hands on" approach in managing the Young Farmer Program. (Page 18) 4. Georgia's Young Farmer Program teachers spend about 9% of their time organizing, coordinating, and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association. Program funding associated with these activities totalled about $194,000 during fiscal year 1993. This level of effort has resulted in Georgia having the largest state association membership in the nation; however, the Department needs to demonstrate the benefits accruing to the State as a result of this level of effort. Efforts currently devoted to organizing, coordinating, and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association should be reduced or redirected toward other Program areas unless the Young Farmer Program is able to show that such efforts result in statewide benefits and represent an effective and efficient use of Program resources. (Page 20) Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program 1. Insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate that Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes (AA/ST) Program resources are only used to fund activities that address significant needs that are not currently fulfilled by other programs or services. Although the AA/ST Program has been in existence since 1954, the Department has not conducted formal reviews to provide evidence of the overall benefits resulting from the Program. The Program does provide vocational agriculture instructional services; however, we found similar services available elsewhere. Other AA/ST Program services and activities have not been shown to be clearly beneficial or are also provided through the Young Farmer Program. We recommend that the Department take whatever steps are necessary to assure the General Assembly and Georgia taxpayers that State resources are only used to fund activities that address significant needs that are not currently being fulfilled by other programs or services. Existing Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program resources and Vocational Agriculture Education 6 activities should be modified, redirected, and/or adjusted as necessary to provide this assurance. (Page 23) 2. Clearly defined goals and objectives have not been established for the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program. In addition, the Department has no formal procedures for measuring the Program's performance. As a result, the Department is unable to show that State resources are being efficiently and effectively used. (Page 27) Vocational Agriculture Education 7 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Young Farmer Program The Young Farmer Program exists to provide agricultural education, fellowship, and technical support to out-of-school adults whose vocational objective is to become established and/or more proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness Local school systems implementing a Young Farmer Program must provide facilities, equipment, and at least 10% of the funds required to operate the Program The Young Farmer Program originated in 1952 with the establishment of eight pilot programs designed to train Georgia's young farmers. The Program currently exists to provide agricultural education, fellowship, and technical support to out-of- school adults whose vocational objective is to become established and/or more proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness 3 To establish a Young Farmer Program, local school systems must submit an application to the Department that includes the names of at least 75 individuals engaged in farming or an agribusiness occupation having an interest in a Young Farmer Program. Local school systems setting up a Young Farmer Program must provide facilities, equipment, and at least 10% of the funds required to operate the Program. The Department provides the remaining 90% of the funding for the salaries, benefits, and travel of the young farmer teachers. Each Young Farmer Program must serve at least 45 individuals to receive continued funding from the Department. Young farmer teachers are headquartered at local high schools and are under the direct supervision of the principal or the principal's designee. The primary duties of the young farmer teachers include: conducting at least 20 courses for young farmers, 3 The Department refers to these out-of-school adults as "young farmers" (regardless of their age.) Vocational Agriculture Education 8 providing instruction to individuals and/or small groups through visits at farms or agribusiness sites, teaching at least one in-school vocational agriculture class to high school students and providing supervision of students' in-school agricultural experience programs, organizing and coordinating the activities of the local chapter of the Georgia Young Farmers Association4, and providing assistance to local vocational agriculture teachers. Forty-eight counties received a total of $2.14 million in fiscal year 1993 for the salaries, benefits, and travel of 52 young farmer teachers Instruction and supervision are provided in both structured classroom settings and at farms or agribusiness sites. EXHIBIT 1 provides information on the activities conducted by the young farmer teachers during fiscal year 1993. As shown in APPENDIX A, Young Farmer Programs existed in 48 counties in fiscal year 1993. These counties received a total of $2.14 million in State funds during fiscal year 1993 for the salaries, benefits, and travel of 52 young farmer teachers, as shown in APPENDIX B. According to reports submitted by these teachers, about 19,000 persons attended Young Farmer Program courses, 13,000 young farmers were assisted either individually or in small groups, and 5,000 high school students were supervised in fiscal year 19935 4 The Georgia Young Farmers Association exists: to provide continuing education to meet new and changing needs for progress in agriculture; to help young farmers build better farms, homes, and families; to assist young farmers in becoming successfully established as farmers and leaders in the community; to provide group experiences and exchange of ideas through local, district, and state activities; to add dignity and prestige to the business of farming; to cooperate with agricultural organizations, business, and industry for continued improvement in agricultural technology and social conditions; and to provide wholesome social and recreational activities. 5 Unaudited figures. Vocational Agriculture Education 9 EXHIBIT 1 FY 1993 ACTIVITIES AS REPORTED BY YOUNG FARMER TEACHERS (96,132 Total Hours Reported) Educational Assistance: FFA. Regular Vo-Ag Program (6,611 hrs): Providing assistance to local vocational agriculture teachers in planning and conducting award banquets; assisting with FFA and/or Young Farmer contests, fairs, livestock shows; etc. Improving Vo-Ag Facilities & Equipment (5,332 hrs): Assisting local vocational agriculture and Adult Agriculture teachers in upgrading Vo-Ag facilities (e.g., painting safety lines, , - - - - - - color-coding lab equipment, and wiring facilities); adjusting equipment; and assisting teachers in organizing laboratory equipment Professional Improvement (4,512 hrs): Attending staff developmenVin-service clinics and conferences Young Farmer Chapter or State Association Activities (8,881 hrs}: Organizing, coordinating and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association Source: Audit team analysis of Department of Education monthly activity reports Instructional Activities (70,796 hrs): 34.401 hrs - Providing individualized or small group instruction at farms or agribusiness sites to adults whose main vocational objective is farming L and/or agribusiness (i.e., "young farmers") 18.410 hrs -Travel to/from class, procurement of materials, scheduling of classes, etc. 9.094 hrs - In-school instruction to high school agricultural education students 4.573 hrs - Supervision of high school students' home or work-related projects ("agricultural experience programs") 4.318 hrs - Class instruction to adults whose main vocational objective is farming and/or agribusiness (i.e., "young farmers") Vocational Agriculture Education 10 The Adult Agriculture Program was created to provide assistance to high school vocational agriculture teachers Local school systems receive reimbursement from the Short-Term Classes Program for the adult instruction provided by the high school vocational agriculture teachers Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program The Adult Agriculture Program was created in 1954 to provide assistance to high school vocational agriculture teachers. According to Department personnel, at one time vocational agriculture teachers employed by local school systems were required to teach 10 adult classes of two or more hours each as part of their normal workload. Adult agriculture teachers were needed to provide assistance and expertise to the high school vocational agriculture teachers in conducting these courses. Currently, high school vocational agriculture teachers have the option of teaching the adult courses. The respective local school systems receive reimbursement for the instruction provided. The Short-Term Classes Program is the mechanism by which this reimbursement is provided. Adult agriculture teachers are headquartered at the Department's vocational agriculture district offices6 and are under the direct supervision of the Department's State Supervisor of Agricultural Education. The primary duties of adult agriculture teachers include: scheduling and conducting a minimum of 25 adult courses7 with high school vocational agriculture teachers, providing technical assistance to high school vocational agriculture teachers in teaching classes and in maintaining and operating specialized vocational agriculture facilities and equipment, 6 Atlanta, Athens, Swainsboro, and Tifton 7 A course is defined by the Department as two or more classes or instructional segments in the same instructional area. A class is defined as an instructional segment which is a minimum of two hours duration. Vocational Agriculture Education 11 providing individual and group instruction to adult class members and other community groups, providing in-service training in technical areas for high school vocational agriculture teachers, and assisting in coordinating student organizational activities. Short-term adult vocational agriculture courses generally fall under the headings of agricultural mechanics/construction, agricultural products, crops and soils, animal husbandry, farm management, forestry and natural resources, and horticulture EXHIBIT 2 provides information on the activities conducted by the adult agriculture teachers during fiscal year 1993. Local school systems submitting an application for funding through the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program must either select courses from the approved list found in the Department's Guidelines For Completing Local Plan/Application For Vocational Education or develop courses that must be approved by the district vocational agriculture supervisor. Courses generally fall under the headings of agricultural mechanics/construction, agricultural products, crops and soils, animal husbandry, farm management, forestry and natural resources, and horticulture. Approved courses are typically 12 hours in length, but may range from 4 to 72 hours long. Local school systems may receive reimbursement from the Short-Term Classes Program for up to 200 total hours of instruction provided by the high school vocational agriculture teachers8 To receive reimbursements, local school systems must submit the Department's fund requisition form (DE 0447). 8 The hourly reimbursement rate is based upon the high school vocational agriculture teacher's approved 10-month base salary divided by 1200 (the average number of hours worked over a 10-month period). Reimbursement is only provided for instructional hours (that is, no reimbursement is provided for class preparation and other non-instructional time). Vocational Agriculture Education 12 EXHIBIT 2 FY 1993 ACTIVITIES AS REPORTED BY ADULT AGRICULTURE TEACHERS (44,723 Total Hours Reported) Individualized Instruction for Teachers {2,668 hrs): Individualized instruction for local vocational agriculture teachers and Young Farmer teachers Professional Improvement {2,005 hrs): Attending staff development/in-service activities; attending district/state staff meetings and conferences Improving Vo-Ag Facilities & Equipment {1,940 hrs): Assisting local vocational agriculture and Young Farmer . - - - - - - - - - teachers in upgrading Vo-Ag facilities (e.g., painting safety lines, color-coding lab equipment, and wiring facilities); adjusting equipment; and assisting teachers in organizing laboratory equipment Teacher In-Service {1.221 hrs): Conducting in-service/staff development clinics for local vocational agriculture and Young Farmer teachers Educational Assistance: FFA. Young Farmer Program {9.141 hrs): Setting up, conducting, and cleaning up for FFA contests; planning/revising contests; planning, conducting, judging, and evaluating FFA and/or Young Farmer Contest activities Source: Audit team analysis of Department of Education monthly activity reports Instructional Activities {27,748 hrs): 19,754 hrs -Travel to/from class, procurement of materials, scheduling classes with local vocational agriculture teachers 3.232 hrs - Lesson preparation and development of instructional materials 3.161 hrs - Classroom/laboratory instructional activities with adult class groups 1,601 hrs - Individualized instruction for adult class members Vocational Agriculture Education 13 Sixty-five counties received over $91,000 through the Short-Term Classes Program in fiscal year 1993; another $1.18 million was expended for the salaries, benefits, travel and supplies of 19 adult agriculture teachers As shown in APPENDIX C, short-term adult vocational agriculture classes were taught in 65 counties during fiscal year 1993. These counties received over $91,000 in State-funded reimbursements through the Short-Term Classes Program, as shown in APPENDIX D. During the same period, State funds totaling $1.18 million were expended for the salaries, benefits, travel, and supplies of 19 adult agriculture teachers. According to reports submitted by the adult agriculture teachers, about 8,500 adults were taught in classroom/laboratory settings, 2,100 adults were instructed individually or in small groups, and about 3,400 high school vocational agriculture teachers were assisted in fiscal year 19939 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Young Farmer Program Finding No. 1 Although the Young Farmer Program has been in existence since 1952, the Department has not implemented formal methods to measure and evaluate benefits resulting from the Program. In addition, the Department cannot clearly demonstrate that Program activities address significant needs within the vocational agriculture community that are not also being addressed by other programs or services. 9 Unaudited figures. Vocational Agriculture Education 14 After more than 40 years of operation, the Department cannot provide any evidence of benefits resulting from the Young Farmer Program The Department cannot demonstrate that State resources are only addressing significant needs within the vocational agriculture community that are not also being addressed by other programs or services The Young Farmer Program, initiated in 1952, exists to provide agricultural education, fellowship, and technical support to out-of-school adults whose vocational objective is to become established and/or more proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness. However, after more than 40 years of operation, the Department is unable to provide any evidence of benefits resulting from the Program. Department personnel said that the instruction provided by the young farmer teachers results in a better educated agriculture community, which in tum leads to more efficient farming operations, more successful farms, and, in the end, an improved State economy. The Department, however, has not formally determined the extent to which the Program has resulted in a better educated agriculture community. Department personnel also said there are too many factors associated with increases in agricultural productivity and an improved State economy to quantify the impact of the Young Farmer Program. Although we agree that many factors no doubt exist, the Department is accountable to the General Assembly and Georgia taxpayers in p:-oviding assurances that the Young Farmer Program represents an effective and efficient use of tax dollars. The Department also cannot demonstrate that State resources are only addressing significant needs within the vocational agriculture community that are not also being addressed by other programs or services. Compounding the issue is the fact that the specific needs which led to the establishment of the Program in 1952, although unknown, may either no longer exist or be greatly diminished due to changes in Georgia over the Vocational Agriculture Education 15 past four decades. For example, as shown in EXHIBIT 3, when compared to U.S. Census data from the early 1950's, Georgia now has fewer farms, less farming land, and fewer citizens employed in agriculture-related jobs. EXHIBIT3 SELECTED GEORGIA AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS Number of Georgia Farms Proportion of Georgia Land in Farms Statistic Percentage of Total Georgia Workforce Employed in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (1) 165,523 64.2% 22.1% 1987 43,552 28.5% 2.4% Note: (1) Although this U.S. Census classification does not represent all persons employed in agribusiness, the comparative statistics show the significant decline in the proportion of Georgians employed in the areas of agriculture production, agriculture services, horticultural services, forestry, and fisheries over the 40year period. Source: U.S. Census data Although Department personnel indicated that vocational agriculture training beyond the high school level was limited back in the 1950's, today there are multiple sources of agriculture-related information and education available to Georgia's vocational agriculture community Department personnel also said that vocational agriculture education beyond the high school level was limited in the 1950's. However, today there are additional sources of agriculture-related information and education available to Georgia's vocational agriculture community. Ten technical institutes within the Department of Technical and Adult Education offer a diploma and/or associate degree in agriculture technology, environmental horticulture, or forestry technology. The Cooperative Extension Vocational Agriculture Education 16 Service offers education and technical assistance throughout Georgia in many different agriculture and natural resource areas, as shown in EXHIBIT 4. EXHIBIT4 AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE Mission: To help communities, agribusinesses, farmers, homeowners, and urban and rural residents in Georgia understand, plan for and adapt to the challenges and opportunities associated with change. This is accomplished through the distribution and application of research-based information, to insure that agriculture remains a viable, profitable industry, and the quality of life in Georgia is enhanced. 1. Agriculture Economics To help improve the decision-making process of farmers and agribusinesses concerning coping with the ever-changing economic environment in which they must operate. 2. Agronomy To provide information necessary to farmers to produce high yielding and excellent quality agronomic crops using efficient production practices. 3. Engineering To provide programs on pesticide storage, mixing, and application; irrigation system efficiency and scheduling; energy conservation; farm safety and accident extrication; and water quality as affected by agricultural waste handling. 4. Poultry Science To provide educational programs and technical assistance in areas such as waste management, water utilization, and heat stress. 5. Animal Science, Dairy Science, and Veterinary Medicine To provide educational programs addressing national initiatives and providing for greater assurance of "optimizing returns per input." 6. Horticulture To provide educational programs and distribute the latest research-based information to the fruit, vegetable, nursery, and landscape industries. 7. Plant Pathology To use workshops, field days, demonstrations, and plant disease clinics to transfer the latest research information for developing educational programs for disease control. 8. Forest Resources, Aquaculture, and Fisheries To provide education programs in forest management, commercial fish production, and pond management. 9. Entomology To help urban and traditional agricultural enterprises reduce unnecessary pesticide use for insect management. 10. Food Science and Technology To provide workshops on food protection and certification, sanitation, processing and quality assurance, nutritional labeling, and regulatory compliance. 11. Community Development To provide county extension agents with materials and information for programming in the community and rural development areas. Source: Compiled from the "Resource Base of the Cooperative Extension Service," University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Services, October 30, 1992 Vocational Agriculture Education 17 The Department should formally assess the need for the Program as it currently operates based upon the actual benefits resulting from existing Program activities, existing needs within the vocational agriculture community, and the availability of other programs and services We recommend that the Department formally assess the need for the Young Farmer Program as it currently operates based upon the actual benefits resulting from existing Program activities, existing needs within the vocational agriculture community, and the availability of other educational programs and services. The Department should also initiate cooperative efforts with the Department of Technical and Adult Education, the Cooperative Extension Service, and any other providers of agriculture information and education to identify and eliminate any areas of overlapping service delivery. Existing Program resources and activities should be modified or adjusted as necessary based upon the results of these efforts. As addressed in the following finding, the results of these efforts should also be used by Department personnel in establishing clearly defined, measurable goals and objectives for the Young Farmer Program. Finding No. 2 Departmental oversight and assessment of the Program are limited to an annual review of each Young Farmer Program's compliance with certain reqnirements stated in the Department's Rules and Regulations Clearly defined goals and objectives have not been established for the Young Farmer Program. In addition, although Program activity data is captured, the Department has no formal procedures for measuring the Program's actual performance. As a result, the Department is unable to show that the Program represents an efficient and effective use of State funds. No written goals or objectives exist to guide and direct the activities of the Young Farmer Program. Departmental oversight and assessment of the Program are limited to an annual review of each Young Farmer Program's compliance with certain Vocational Agriculture Education 18 Clearly defined goals, objectives, and performance indicators should be established for the Young Farmer Program requirements stated in the Department's Rules and Regulations. These requirements include the number of classes taught by the young farmer teachers, the number of students taught or supervised, and the number of members in each local Young Farmer Program. Although these statistics show Program activity levels, they do not provide information on the efficiency and/or effectiveness of Program operations. We recommend that the Department use the results of the Young Farmer Program self-assessment to establish clearly defined goals, objectives, and performance indicators. These goals, objectives, and performance indicators should clearly show the intended accomplishments and benefits of the Program, and should allow management to assess and measure Program performance. Without adequate and appropriate goals, objectives, and performance indicators, Department management cannot assess Program performance and assure the General Assembly and Georgia taxpayers that the State resources provided to the Young Farmer Program are efficiently and effectively used. Finding No. 3 The Department exercises very little oversight and control over the Young Farmer Program even though it supplies 90 % of the Program's funding Department personnel review and monitor Program activity data. However, existing controls and procedures do not ensure that local Young Farmer Programs comply with Program requirements. Although the Department supplies 90% of the funding for the Young Farmer Program, we found that the Department exercises very little oversight and control over the Program. Department personnel said that they assess Program performance Vocational Agriculture Education 19 by reviewing the information reported on the young farmer teachers' monthly activity reports (that is, the number of classes taught, the number of students taught or supervised, and the number of Young Farmer Program chapter members). However, instances of non-compliance with Program regulations are not addressed because Department personnel do not believe they have any provisions for imposing sanctions against the local Programs. They hold this position since the young farmer teachers are hired by and report directly to the local school systems. The specific managerial control and procedural deficiencies noted during our review are discussed in the following paragraphs. (A) Three (6%) of the 52 young farmer teachers did not remit any activity reports for fiscal year 1993 (B) Sixty-three percent of the young farmer teachers did not organize and conduct at least 20 courses during fiscal year 1993 as required Six percent of the young farmer (C) teachers did not teach at least one in-school vocational agriculture class during fiscal year 1993 as required Although Program rules require young farmer teachers to submit monthly activity reports to the Department, we found that three (6%) of the 52 teachers did not remit any activity reports for fiscal year 1993. One of these three teachers also failed to remit any activity reports for fiscal year 1992. Program rules also require young farmer teachers to organize and conduct no fewer than 20 courses for young farmers. Our review of the information available from fiscal year 1993 monthly activity reports showed that 31 (63%) of the 49 teachers submitting activity reports did not meet this requirement. The reported number of courses organized and conducted by these 31 teachers ranged from one to 18. Young farmer teachers are also required to teach one inschool class of vocational agriculture. Our review of the fiscal year 1993 monthly activity reports showed that three (6%) of the 49 teachers .submitting activity reports did not meet this requirement. Vocational Agriculture Education 20 The Department should take a proactive, "hands on" approach in managing the Young Farmer Program Site visits at five Young Farmer Programs also revealed that four of the Programs did not keep class rolls to substantiate the reported number of young farmers taught. We recommend that the Department take a proactive, "hands on" approach in managing the Young Farmer Program. Monthly activity reports submitted by the young farmer teachers should be carefully reviewed and any instances of non-compliance with established Program requirements should be investigated and addressed. The Department should also consider conducting periodic on-site reviews to confirm that the activity data reported by the Young Farmer Programs is accurate and supported by source documents. Finding No. 4 Georgia's Young Farmer Program teachers spend about 9% of their time organizing, coordinating, and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association. Program funding associated with these activities totalled about $194,000 during fiscal year 1993. This level of effort has resulted in Georgia having the largest state association membership in the nation; however, the Department needs to demonstrate the benefits accruing to the State as a result of this level of effort. According to the National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA), benefits accruing to young farmers as a result of association membership include being kept up-to-date on technological changes and improved leadership skills. Likewise, Department personnel contend that the Georgia Young Farmers Vocational Agriculture Education 21 Department personnel were unable to show us the additional benefits accruing to Georgia as a result of such a large state association membership Association provides for the development and application of hands-on leadership, communication, and managerial skills. Activities and programs attributed to the Association include conventions, educational tours, and publication of the Georgia Young Farmer magazine. EXHIBIT 5 shows state memberships in the National Young Farmer Educational Association. As can be seen, Georgia has more members than any other state. In fact, of the ten states with the highest percentage of land designated as farmland in 1992, eight (80%) have NYFEA members. Georgia, ranked 28th nationally in terms of the percentage of land designated farmland, has more than twice as many NYFEA members than any of these top ten states. However, Department personnel were unable to show us the additional benefits accruing to Georgia as a result of such a large membership (such as more young farmers becoming established and/or proficient in agricultural production, agricultural management, or agribusiness; improved farmer productivity, etc.). The NYFEA also indicated that Georgia is unique in providing full-time pay to organizers of the state Young Farmers Association. Organizers in other states are either paid on a parttime basis or are not paid at all. During fiscal year 1993, the Program expended about $194,000 organizing, coordinating, and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association. Vocational Agriculture Education 22 EXHIBIT 5 NATIONAL YOUNG FARMER EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP BY STATE ASSOCIATIONS 1992 ,o National Young Farmer Educational Association Members 1 -1,000 >2,000 Source: National Young Farmer Educational Association Vocational Agriculture Education 23 Efforts devoted to the Georgia Young Farmers Association should be reduced or redirected toward other Program areas unless the Program is able to demonstrate that such efforts represent an effective and efficient use of Program resources We recommend that efforts currently devoted to organizing, coordinating, and/or advising on the activities of the Georgia Young Farmers Association be reduced or redirected toward other Program areas unless the Young Farmer Program is able to show that such efforts result in statewide benefits and represent an effective and efficient use of Program resources. After 40 years of operation, the Department is unable to provide any evidence of benefits resulting from the Program Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program Finding No. 1 Insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate that Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes (AA/ST) Program resources are only used to fund activities that address significant needs that are not currently being fulfilled by other programs or services. Although the AA/ST Program has been in existence since 1954, the Department has not conducted formal reviews to provide evidence of the overall benefits resulting from the Program. The Program does provide vocational agriculture instructional services; however, we found similar services available elsewhere. Other AA/ST Program services and activities have not been shown to be clearly beneficial or are also provided through the Young Farmer Program. These points are discussed in greater detail in the remainder of this finding. (A) The Adult Agriculture Program was created in 1954 to provide assistance to teachers of vocational agriculture. However, after 40 years of operation, the Department is unable to provide any evidence of benefits resulting from the Program. Department personnel said that the Vocational Agriculture Education 24 Many of the most popular short- (B) term course subjects provided by the AA/ST Program are also available from postsecondary institutions Adult agriculture teachers spend (C) more than half their time either preparing for or traveling to/from classes; yet, we found no Departmental justification for the level of effort devoted to these activities or any evidence showing that the activities represent an efficient and effective use of Program resources Program should result in better local vocational agriculture teachers and fulfill the vocational agriculture educational needs of adults. However, they also conceded that they do not know the actual impact of the Program. We found that many of the most popular short-term course subjects provided by the AA/ST Program are also available from postsecondary institutions (i.e., regional colleges and technical schools). As can be noted from APPENDIX E, the top 10 reimbursed AA/ST Program courses provided in fiscal year 1993 represented 72% of the total classes and total attendance. 10 During a limited review of continuing education courses offered by 10 postsecondary institutions in two of the Department's four vocational agriculture districts we identified similar postsecondary adult education courses for seven of these top 10 course subjects. As shown in APPENDIX F, these postsecondary courses were found to be similar in both content and cost. According to the postsecondary institution representatives we spoke with, continuing education classes are offered when demand for the courses exists. Also, in offering the courses and establishing course fees, the institutions attempt to recover the costs of providing the services. Since the existence of these postsecondary courses shows that adults are spending their own money to attend courses similar in both content and cost to those funded by the ANST Program, we question the continued need to offer State-funded adult vocational agriculture courses. Certain activities performed by the adult agriculture teachers may not be needed. Our compilation of monthly activity reports disclosed that adult agriculture teachers spend more than half their time either preparing for or traveling to/from classes. However, we found no Departmental justification for the level of effort devoted to these activities or any evidence showing that the 10 These 10 courses also accounted for $72,000 (79%) of the total $91,000 reimbursed through the Short-Term Classes Program in fiscal year 1993. Vocational Agriculture Education 25 activities represent an efficient and effective use of Program resources. EXHIBIT 2 on page 12 shows that "instructional activities" comprised the largest percentage of time (62%) reported by the adult agriculture teachers in fiscal year 1993. However, only 4,762 (17%) of the total 27,748 instructional activity hours were associated with providing instruction to adults. The remaining hours, malcing up 51 % of the total hours reported in fiscal year 1993, were spent traveling to/from classes, procuring materials, scheduling classes, preparing lessons, and developing instructional materials. The estimated taxpayer costs associated with these activities exceeded $606,000 ($1.18 million x 51 %) in fiscal year 1993. Other services provided by the (D) adult agriculture teachers are also provided through the Department's Young Farmer Program We also discovered that other services provided by the adult agriculture teachers are also provided through the Department's Young Farmer Program. Adult agriculture teachers reported spending about 24% of their time in fiscal year 1993 (1) helping high school vocational agriculture teachers with award banquets, FFA and/or Young Farmer contests, fairs, and livestock shows; and (2) helping the teachers upgrade vocational agriculture facilities, adjust equipment, and organize laboratory equipment. As shown in EXHIBIT 1 on page 9, young farmer teachers spent about 13% of their time in fiscal year 1993 providing the same types of services. EXHIBIT 6 depicts the estimated fiscal year 1993 costs incurred by both the Young Farmer Program and AA/ST Program in providing these services. We recommend that the Department take whatever steps are necessary to assure the General Assembly and Georgia taxpayers that State resources are only used to fund activities that address significant needs that are not currently being fulfilled by other programs or services. Existing Adult Agriculture/ShortTerm Classes Program resources and activities should be modified, redirected, and/or adjusted as necessary to provide this assurance. Vocational Agriculture Education 26 EXHIBIT 6 ESTIMATED FISCAL VEAR 1993 COSTS FOR ACTIVITIES COMMON TO BOTH THE YOUNG FARMER AND AA/ST PROGRAMS Young Farmer Program Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program Assisting local vocational agriculture teachers with award banquets, FFA and/or Young Farmer contests, fairs, livestock shows, etc. $ 2.14 million X 7% $150,000 FY 1993 Expenditures Multiplied By% Of Time Reported Conducting The Activity Approximate FY 1993 Costs Incurred In Conducting The Activity $ 1.18 million X 20% $236,000 Assisting local vocational agriculture teachers in upgrading Vo-Ag facilities, adjusting equipment, and organizing laboratory equipment $ 2.14 million X 6% $128,000 ( Source: Audit Team Analysis ) FY 1993 Expenditures Multiplied By % Of Time Reported Conducting The Activity Approximate FY 1993 Costs Incurred In Conducting The Activity $ 1.18 million X 4% $47,000 Vocational Agriculture Education 27 Department oversight of the AA/ST Program is limited to an annual review of each adult agriculture teacher's compliance with certain requirements stated in the Department's Rules and Regulations The Department should establish clearly defined goals, objectives, and performance indicators for the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program Finding No. 2 Clearly defined goals and objectives have not been established for the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program. In addition, the Department has no formal procedures for measuring the Program's performance. As a result, the Department is unable to show that State resources are being efficiently and effectively used. No written goals or objectives exist to guide and direct the activities of the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program. In addition, Departmental oversight and assessment of the Program are limited to an annual review of each adult agriculture teacher's compliance with certain requirements stated in the Department's Rules and Regulations. These requirements include the number of courses taught and whether assistance was provided to high school vocational agriculture teachers. Although these statistics indicate activity levels, they do not provide information on the efficiency and/or effectiveness of Program operations. We recommend that the Department establish clearly defined goals, objectives, and performance indicators for the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program. These goals, objectives, and performance indicators should clearly show the intended accomplishments and benefits of the Program, and should allow management to assess, measure, and report on Program performance. Without adequate and appropriate goals, objectives, and performance indicators, Department management cannot assess program performance and provide assurances to the General Assembly and Georgia taxpayers that the State resources Vocational Agriculture Education 28 provided to the Adult Agriculture/Short-Term Classes Program are efficiently and effectively used. Vocational Agriculture Education 29 APPENDIX A COUNTIES WITH YOUNG FARMER PROGRAMS {Fiscal Year 1993) Vocational Agriculture Education 30 APPENDIXB YOUNG FARMER PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 1993 EXPENDITURES Local Sdlool System Appling County Atkinson County 3 Bacon County 4 Berrien County 5 Brooks County 6 Bulloch County 7 Calhoun County s Candler County 9. Carroll County 10 Chattooga County :n Coffee County 12 Colquitt County 13 Cook County 14 Crisp County 15 Decatur County 16.. Dooly County 17 Early County .+ F\'93 Expenditures . $42,399 $45,303 $37,336 $39,397 $37,120 $47,598 $32,595 $42,475 25 $38,365 $52,654 $89,436 $47,595 $42,416 $48,210 $41,993 $36,227 $53,436 ,,.bical Emanuel County Franklin County Jackson County Jeff Davis County Johnson County Laurens County Lowndes County Marion County Miller County Mitchell County Montgomery County Murray County Randolph County $39,820 $48,847 $42,156 $34,581 $33,765 $41,736 $38,435 $41,879 $57,693 $50,763 $46,811 $45,149 $43,041 $40,335 $37,786 $47,949 $38,905 Seminole County Sumter County Tattnall County Tift County Toombs County Treutlen County Turner County Walker County Ware County Wayne County Wilcox County Wilkes County Worth County TOTAL Source: Department of Education Vocational Education Grants System Reports EDVT0lO0-Rl & EDVG0410-Rl $37,582 $23,667 $46,302 $35,621 $59,552 $36,476 $45,363 $60,158 $52,685 $39,694 $32,639 $39,470 $50,317 $79,018 !1!2,142,750 Vocational Agriculture Education 31 APPENDIXC COUNTIES PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ADULT VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE CLASSES {Fiscal Year 1993) Vocational Agriculture Education 32 Appling County 4 Ben-Hill County Brantley County Brooks County Bulloch County Carroll County 9 Catoosa County 10 Chattooga County Cherokee County Colquitt County Dade County 14 Dodge County Dooly County Echols County Elbert County Emanuel County Evans County Fannin County Fayette County Floyd County APPENDIXD SHORT-TERM CLASSES PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 1993 EXPENDITURES $233 $489 $1,222 $150 $328 $465 $3,910 $1,228 $451 $961 $2,446 $293 $67 $2,609 $1,ll5 $1,858 $269 $245 $855 $3,893 $942 $3,845 Forsyth County Franklin County Habersham County 29 Hall County Hanis County Hart County Henry County Jackson County Jasper County Jenkins County Johnson County Lamar County Lincoln County Long County Lowndes County Lumpkin County Madison County Meriwether County Montgomery County \FY!>$ .. .. ~tu:iis: $1,918 $2,698 $2,976 $521 $390 $1,692 $930 $618 $526 $897 $2,203 $1,679 $979 $1,066 $525 $495 $304 $934 $620 $593 $326 $1,569 Paulding County Pickens County Putnam County Randolph County Stephens County Talbot County Taylor County Treutlen County Troup County Union County Upson County Walker County Walton County Warren County Wheeler County White County Wilkes County TOTAL ri9l ~ditures $5,167 $1,389 $241 $134 $6,732 $341 $3,107 $1,092 $3,961 $2,069 $1,629 $300 $3,013 $4,325 $933 $704 $660 $1,930 $185 $563 iill $91,186 Source: Department of Education Vocational Education Grants System Report EDVG0410-Rl Vocational Agriculture Education 33 APPENDIX E ADULT VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE COURSES TAUGHT IN FISCAL YEAR 1993 AND REIMBURSED THROUGH THE SHORT-TERM CLASSES PROGRAM Course Title Home Landscaping 2 Floral Design 3 Small 4-Stroke Cycle Engines 4 Farm Welding 5 Young Farmer Organization (1) 6 Chain Saw Maintenance 7 Farm Structures 8 Farm Electrification 9 Home Greenhouses 10 Vegetable Production (Home Gardens) 11 Establishing & Maintaining Lawns 12 Income Tax & Social Security 13 Woodworking with Power Tools 14 Beef Herd Management 15 Field Crop Seed Selection 16 Food Processing 17 Forest Maintenance 18 Artificial Insemination-Beef/Dairy Cattle 19 Concrete Construction 20 Farm Organization & Management 21 Forestry and Wildlife 22 Fruit Production 23 Horticulture 24 Meats Evaluation 25 Meats for Menus 26 Meats Merchandising #OfClasses 33 29 20 15 15 11 10 9 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Cumulative% 15.57% 29.25% 38.68% 45.75% 52.83% 58.02% 62.74% 66.98% 69.34% 71.70% 73.58% 75.47% 77.36% 78.77% 80.19% 81.60% 83.02% 83.96% 84.91% 85.85% 86.79% 87.74% 88.68% 89.62% 90.57% 91.51% Attendance 641 424 297 212 313 171 124 124 130 67 55 55 55 95 69 43 35 27 25 31 35 28 29 29 28 26 Cumulative % 18.40% 30.57% 39.09% 45.18% 54.16% 59.07% 62.63% 66.19% 69.92% 71.84% 73.42% 75.00% 76.58% 79.31% 81.29% 82.52% 83.52% 84.30% 85.02% 85.91% 86.91% 87.72% 88.55% 89.38% 90.18% 90.93% Vocational Agriculture Education 34 APPENDIX E (Continued) ADULT VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE COURSES TAUGHT IN FISCAL YEAR 1993 AND REIMBURSED THROUGH THE SHORT-TERM CLASSES PROGRAM Course Title 27 Pest Control Record Keeping 28 Trimmers and Blowers 29 Utilizing the Forest for Recreation 30 Agriculture Machinery Maintenance 31 Beef Cattle Sales Records 32 Controlling Diseases & Parasites of Cattle 33 Diseases of Swine 34 Farm Utility Buildings 35 Feeding Swine 36 Harvesting Forest Products 37 Microcomputers in Agriculture 38 Produce Marketing 39 Reforestation 40 Tractor Operation & Maintenance 41 Water Quality Totals Attendance Cumulative % 2 92.45% 31 91.82% 2 93.40% 26 92.57% 2 94.34% 38 93.66% 94.81% 12 94.00% 95.28% 12 94.35% 95.75% 19 94.89% 96.23% 12 95.24% 96.70% 12 95.58% 97.17% 15 96.01% 97.64% 12 96.35% 98.11% 12 96.70% 98.58% 14 97.10% 99.06% 36 98.13% 99.53% 16 98.59% 1 100.00% 49 3,484 100.00% Note: This course is designed for counties that do not have a Young Farmer Program teacher. In these counties the high school vocational agriculture teachers organize the local Young Farmer chapters. Source: Audit team analysis of Department of Education programmatic records Vocational Agriculture Education 35 APPENDIX F TOP 10 FISCAL YEAR 1993 ADULT AGRICULTURE/SHORT-TERM COURSES AND SIMILAR POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS (1) Landscape and Landscape Planning and Design; Bedding Lawn Seminar Materials; Fertilizers and Water Management; Lawn Mower Maintenance; Weed, Disease, and 8.0 Insect Control; Pesticide Safety and Handling Horticulture & This course will cover subjects commonly asked Lawn Care Tips to help insure a healthier landscape. Topics to be discussed, but not limited to, include dogwood 3.0 care and diseases, lawn care and renovation, and small scale yard waste composting. Landscape This series of classes are intended to teach the Maintenance "basics" or landscape design (plan drawing, plant selection, and other factors to consider when designing a plan); maintenance of your lawns, 6.0 shrubs, trees, etc. and how to plan for that maintenance. Landscaping Enhance your landscaping with new fall colors. This course will teach you how to have color all year round and increase your property value. Techniques for developing a home landscape design, selection and arrangement of plant material most commonly used in the area, establishing and maintaining ornamental, and low maintenance landscape planning will be covered. 16.0 Renovating Your Plan for the amount of maintenance you can Landscape realistically invest. Learn what can be saved and how, as well as what needs moving or rearranging. Understand when it's O.K. to discard 6.0 a plant or shrub. Let this workshop help you tum fixing up your yard into and enjoyable experience. The class will consist of the: importance of landscaping; principles involved in landscaping; analyzing the site; making the site plan; plant identification; procuring plants; installing the plant materials; and maintaining the landscape. 12.0 (Min) 24.0 (Max) Landscaping Your Yard Make the most of your surroundings by developing a landscape master plan for your yard. Learn principles of landscaping including information on plants, pools, decks, gazebos, fountains, walks and walls. From this information, and your personal consultation, sketch and design your home's master landscaping plan. 12.0 :12~ a.c,R>Jl,Q1;$lGN Flower Arranging Bring supplies to create your own flower Workshop arrangement. Supply list furnished. 3.0 $6 $25 $35 $60 $65 $18 (Min) $70 (Avg) $151 (Max) $95 $10 $0.75 $8.33 $5.83 $3.75 $10.83 $0.98 (Min) $3.74 (Avg) $8.71 (Max) $7.92 $3.33 Vocational Agriculture Education 36 APPENDIX F (Continued) TOP 10 FISCAL YEAR 1993 ADULT AGRICULTURE/SHORT-TERM COURSES AND SIMILAR POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS (1) .... . .. #2~t=LORALDESIG~.(C6l'lt) Floral Arranging / l"loral Desigl'I During the first night of this workshop, you will learn to make a wall piece, tie a bow, and coordinate color to match your decor. You will learn to do this by creating a swag, crescent, or wreath to coordinate with your home. The second night you will use greenery and flowers from your yard to do an arrangement for the table, using a vase, basket or other container. You may also use candles or globes to accent. A selection of supplies will be available for purchase from the instructor the first night of class. Students are welcome to bring their own supplies. The class will consist of: recognizing various floral designs; knowing when to use the various designs; selecting the proper materials; preparation of the materials; constructing the design; and evaluating the design. 4.0 3.0 (Min) 18.0 (Max) Making Silk Create your own silk flower arrangements! Learn Flower about floral containers, types of arrangements and Arrangements color selection. Discover interesting additions 6.0 such as pearls, yen-yen, moss, sand, and lace to personalize your creations. Floral Design A six-week floral design course offering a wide variety of design work with fresh, dried and silk materials. Wreaths, arrangements, and some wedding work included. 18.0 Basic Floristry Anyone with creative ability who enjoys working with their hands can learn to design flower arrangements with balance and color harmony. The basics of designing and arranging fresh or 18.0 silk flowers for home, hospital, weddings, funerals, church, etc. will be covered along with bow making. ,a~ $MALL e,.,.G,,-,e REPAIR Small Engine Repair Small Engine Repair (Advanced) Includes theory, basic repairs, engine rebuilding, and troubleshooting. Theory, basic repairs, engine rebuilding, and troubleshooting. Class members will obtain instruction in properly and safely servicing, maintaining and/or repairing the systems of the air-cooled engine used on farm equipment. 72.0 76.0 15.0 (Min) 24.0 (Max) $20 $6 (Min) $36 (Avg) $81 (Max) $40 $75 $85 $100 $100 $35 (Min) $179 (Avg) $291 (Max) $5.00 $0.72 (Min) $2.61 (Avg) $5.27(Max) $6.67 $4.17 $4.72 $1.39 $1.32 $1.46 (Min) $7.81 (Avg) $14.57 (Max) Vocational Agriculture Education 37 APPENDIX F (Continued) TOP 10 FISCAL YEAR 1993 ADULT AGRICULTURE/SHORT-TERM COURSES AND SIMILAR POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS (1) Earn qualifications in any phase or all phases of welding. Class members will obtain instruction in selecting machines and supplies for electric arc and oxyacetylene welding and making welds in various positions. Course Description Not Available. 63.0 9.0 (Min) 24.0 (Max) 60.0 This course is designed for those regular teachers of vocational agriculture that have an organized Young Farmer Chapter with a minimum of twenty Young Farmers. The Young Farmers will acquire knowledge and skills in the proper operation and management of a farm and develop leadership abilities required for successful farming. 6.0 (Min) 72.0 (Max) $80 $24 (Min) $100 (Avg) $237 (Max) $125 $1.27 $1.42 (Min) $6.25 (Avg) $23.71 (Max) $2.08 $8 (Min) $38 (Avg) $124 (Max) $0.79 (Min) $1.54 (Avg) $3.24 (Max) Construction Estimation/ Specifications Seminar Introduction to building materials, costs, and formulas for making estimations. Specification construction writing skills are emphasized. Class members will obtain instruction in properly planning and constructing a farm structures. 18.0 25.0 (Min) 26.0 (Max) Construction Estimating I: Residential Carpentry I: Framing Industrial Electricity I: Residential Course Description Not Available. 60.0 Course Description Not Available. 60.0 #8-ELEC!l"RIFICATION Course Description Not Available. 60.0 $30 $38 (Min) $102 (Avg) $178 (Max) $140 $140 $1.67 $1.48 (Min) $3.97 (Avg) $6.86 (Max) $2.33 $2.33 $140 $2.33 Vocational Agriculture Education 38 APPENDIX F (Continued) TOP 10 FISCAL VEAR 1993 ADULT AGRICULTURE/SHORT-TERM COURSES AND SIMILAR POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS (1) struction in planning tern, installing the ng and/or V circuits 7.5 (Min) 24.0 (Max) .. .. . . . . . .. Planriitig arid Mairitai11ing th~ Class members will obtain instruction in planning and maintaining home greenhouses G~~arid Aetatet!,Facilities 18.0 (Min) 20.0 (Max) $11 (Min) $41 (Avg) $128 (Max) $0.62 (Min) $2.27 (Avg) $7.11 (Max) Vegetable Gardening Seminar Organic Gardening Getting ready to plant or already have your seeds in the ground? This seminar will give you a time table for planting winter through fall, tips on pest control, and ideas for attractively incorporating vegetables within your flower beds. The class will consist of: determining the size of garden needed; selecting a garden site; making a garden plan; selecting seed varieties; purchasing seeds and plants; preparing the soil; fertilizing the garden; controlling insects and diseases; planting; and controlling moisture. Whether you are inexperienced or semiexperienced in organic gardening, this course is for you. You will learn site selection, indoors and outdoors -- yards, decks, patios, window sills; what to grow -- plants or seeds, vegetables, herbs, flowers; organic insect control; comporting; tools; methods of stocking up what you have grown; and a guide to the best available resource materials. Join us now and plant those seeds this winter for next season. 2.5 6.0 (Min) 18.0 (Max) 8.0 $10 $4.00 $32 (Min) $43 (Avg) $72(Max) $1.84 (Min) $3.08 (Avg) $5.39 (Max) $55 $6.88 Note: (1) Shaded course titles represent Adult Agriculture/Short-Term courses. Sources: Department of Education and postsecondary institution course listings; audit team analysis