Pablo Lamino Jaramillo, a doctoral candidate with Texas Tech University's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, has received the Association for International Agricultural Extension & Education's Distinguished Student Oral Presentation Award. The honor for the Quito, Ecuador native was presented on Wednesday (Apr. 6) at the organization's meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece. 

His presentation was titled, “Agricultural Education and Youth Migration: A Comparison of El Salvador, Honduras, and Ecuador."

The research explored the migration intentions of rural youth who have access to agricultural education programs and rural youth who do not. Results showed that rural youth in agricultural education programs have a lower intention to migrate than those who are not in agricultural education programs.

Access to extension activities was determined to be a migration driver. Countries that invest in agricultural extension activities targeting rural youth could combat youth intentions to migrate. 

Other AEC students presenting research papers at the international meeting included:

• Carlos Durán Gabela, a master's student  from Ecuador
• Renzo Ceme Vinces, a master's student from Ecuador
• Gabriela Suchiapa Magdaleno, a doctoral student from Mexico
   

Davis College faculty members accompanying the students to Greece were Todd Brashears, a professor, David Lawver, a professor, and Courtney Meyers, a professor and graduate studies coordinator. Amy Boren Alpízar, an associate professor, advises all of the students.

Established in 1984, the AIAEE is a professional organization for agricultural and extension educators who share a common goal of strengthening agricultural and extension education programs and institutions worldwide.

CONTACT: Scott Burris, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-8689 or scott.burris@ttu.edu

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