The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence an individual\u27s decision to teach agricultural education. A descriptive research design, in the form of a census survey, was used to collect data for this study. The population included individuals who completed their student teaching from 2002-2005 while attending one of five universities in the eastern United States. The five most influential factors identified by the respondents included (in order of influence): their agriculture teacher, agricultural background, FFA involvement, high school agricultural program involvement, and family. Individuals who did not teach agriculture made their decision based on the following reasons: student teaching experience, demands of the job, low salary, no teaching jobs in the area, and time requirements. Respondents who had left teaching cited a lack of administrative support, low salary, time requirements, no other available jobs in area, unsuccessful as a teacher, and too many demands other than teaching
