<P> The history of agricultural education predates USA activities and derives from, the development of Scottish, Italian and German colleges . The land grant approach of the USA owes much to the Scottish system in particular . Changes in higher agricultural education around the world today are highlighting implicit approaches that have hampered development and exceptional advances that have fed the world . the process has been described in one text (below) which takes a global perspective . </P> <P> Agricultural education in other countries resembles that in the United States . Canada has its own 4 - H program . Agriculture Canada distributes information on new farming methods and maintains experimental farms, research stations, and research institutions throughout the country . BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation operates in the province of British Columbia . In Australia, each state has several agricultural research stations and an extension service . Great Britain has a program of youth clubs called Young Farmer's Clubs that resemble 4 - H. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations works to train people throughout the world in modern farming methods . The United States gives technical assistance to farmers in developing nations through its Agency for International Development (AID). </P> <P> As of February 2015 Agriculture in Australia employs over 235,300 people in the agriculture, fishing and forestry and fishing industry . This industry alone equates to 12% share of the GDP earning close to $155 billion a year . The farmers own a combined 135,997 farms covering approximately 61% of the land mass . </P> <P> Given these figures the agricultural programs in place in school and universities in very important to the future of the county . Several high schools operate across the country specifying in agriculture education . Predominantly these high schools are set in the rural areas with access to land . On the majority of cases the students often travel 1000 km to attend schools, taking up residence at the schools as boarders for the school term . The one of the biggest in Australia is Farrer Memorial Agricultural High Schoolin central New South Wales . The Agriculture in Education programme launched by the Australian government in 2015 helps teachers better understand the products and processes associated with food and fibre production and gives students an opportunity to understand the importance of agriculture in the Australian economy . Topics covered by the materials include: designing and making a financial plan for a market garden, free range chicken farming, food security, and sustainable production practices in food and fibre . The agricultural environment has changed enormously over the past 15 years, with greater emphasis on product quality issues, vertical integration from production to consumer, diversity in demand options, and environmental namely drought, welfare and ethical issues . </P>

Which of the following is a goal of the department of agriculture