Occupational Therapy - 2015

9 to the economic incentives for caring for other family members and contributing to the family income (Yeung & Rauscher, 2014). Youth programs. According to Gemici et al. (2014), several external factors, such as something in- fluence youths at the age of 15 to make unrealistic as- pirations that cannot be followed through by the time they reached 30 years of age the individuals aspirations; however, programs like the 4-H federal extension train- ing program offer a realistic approach to making realis- tic aspirations and building on them as they mature and age through experience. The positive outcomes of the 4-H Federal Extension Service Training Program for the child provides a sense of independence to complete a task independently. Youth programs, such as the 4-H, provides a sense of responsibility and contribution to family resources, finances, researching further resourc- es available to the youth to plan future career plans. The 4-H program helps build the child’s self-esteem and confidence to permit initiation of an independent occu- pation, to be integrated into the community, and strive for achievement and complete milestones at an early age. Loans to child farmers. Youth farmers and ranchers, sponsored by the USDA FSA, grants loans to children who reside in rural areas who contribute to “income-producing projects” that are associated with 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America (Nolz, 2009). These loans are obtained by children who are part of an organized program that supervises and provides orga- nizational advisers. They allow for an organized plan to produce enough income to repay the loans for the child to gain business experience, and entrepreneurship at an early age. Scholarships. “Last year, $75,000 was made available to students through the UnitedAg & Unit- ed Agricultural Benefit Trust Scholarship Program” (Showalter, 2014, para. 4). There are many scholar- ship opportunities for children of family farm owners or children who wish to continue with the agricultural industry as a career. Sullivan Supply’s Youth Scholar- ship offers up to $20,000.00 for high school seniors or college students under the age of 21 who want to pursue a path to the agricultural industry (Showalter, 2014). There are scholarships available from the National Milk Producers Foundation for graduate students who wish to study dairy-related majors (Showalter, 2014). Sense of Cultural Identity People who work on farmland become attached to the land and develop a sense of self-worth and pride for the farming culture (Maciuba, 2013). Parents have a sense of family pride to transfer an inter-generational skill to the youth by teaching their children safety precautions on how to drive a tractor, plowing skills, investment skills, comprehending the economic value and per- spective, and gains and losses of business investments. There are benefits of children connecting with their ru- ral roots through the occupation of farming. Children in the urban communities learn through the various youth programs at rural community farming skills such as survival and economic gains and investments. “Working and living in agricultural commu- nities can contribute to a child’s sense of community and ethnic identity “ (CIDA, 2006, p. 3). According to Media Voices for Children (2011), “cultural basis is in- tegrated into agriculture” and allows for children and youth to understand their roots and cultural heritage. Agricultural habits, routines, and occupations help chil- dren discover their cultural roots and heritage. Co-occupations. Children who work on the farms, seasonally or after school hours have a better understanding of the family occupations, traditions, learning of care for other living beings, caregiving, and co-occupations. Children learn the responsibilities to care for others and be nurturing to others on the job. Children who work on farms learn from adults, parents, or siblings co-occupation by working to collect eggs, feeding the chickens, and caring for other animals on the farm (Garrett & Schulman, 1989). Conclusion Implications of the occupation of child farming is spreading the awareness of farming at a young age and promoting the scholarship incentives to students at school for children to have options and choices for future career experience. The occupation of farming and agriculture for minors allows for a head start on life skills, socialization, business experience, monetary independence, and stronger family unit and engage- ment. Family values and collaboration occur as a result of children farming alongside their parents and siblings and become culturally integrated with the community, incorporate social routines and roles. The occupation of children working on farms provides an opportunity for children to thrive in life, develop career paths by ex- periencing occupations in real-life setting to gain life skills beneficial for future aspirations and investments. OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry for Students, Faculty & Other Practitioners Advocating for Health through Occupational Studies November 2015, Volume 1, Number 1