The dissertation deals with theoretical summing up and sets a new way to solve the problem of formation the patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions in extracurricular activities. On the basis of the analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature the fundamental concepts of "patriotism" and "patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions ", "formation the patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions in extracurricular activities" are specified and defined concretely. The state of studies regarding the problem of the formation of patriotism of future specialists of agricultural professions in educational theory and practice is analysed. The patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions is defined as one of the highest values and achievements of the personality, as the sum of his/her moral, civic and ideological qualities, as integral personal and professional education, which is manifested in the knowledge of the Constitution, laws of Ukraine, the history of own people, its culture, in the manifestation of tolerance to other ethnic groups and cultures, in love to the motherland, to homeland, in sense of ownership, in ability to professional work in conditions of competitive market environment and vital activity. The patriotism formation of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions in extracurricular activities is a complicated purposeful process of expanding of the knowledge about the past of our people, the nature of their region, its culture, their rights, responsibilities, and various personal and professional skills. It provides for the development of sustained intrinsic motivation, reflection and inclusion of students into diverse extracurricular activities. The substantial structure of the patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions is theoretically proved. It includes the following components: motivational (need for the interiorizing of the system of spiritual-moral and cultural, national and universal values, motivation); cognitive (knowledge of the history of national culture, patriotic consciousness); emotional (the feeling of love to the motherland, moral responsibility in front of it, respect for native people, a sense of spiritual connection with it); activity-practical (willingness to act for the good of their country, to defend its interests, to protect them, etc.); reflexive evaluation (monitoring and evaluation of implemented activities to commit the results). Structural components are organically mutually bound, mutually conditioned and complement each other. An experimental model of formation the patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions in extracurricular activities is developed and tested. It includes the goal, objectives, content, and types of extracurricular activities, forms, methods and results. The model of formation the patriotism of the students of agrarian higher educational institutions took into account regional factor and the features of future professional activity of young men and women and involved the use of such forms and methods due to which all the components of patriotism were actualized. The basis for the development of patriotism among students of agrarian higher educational institutions in extracurricular activities was a course "From the learning of native culture to the patriotism of agrarian students". The content of the lessons of the course were directed towards the development of motivational, cognitive, emotional, active and practical, reflexive spheres. Engagement of students of agrarian higher educational institutions in different types of extracurricular activities (educational, research, labour, commercial, environmental, scientific, cultural and leisure, organizational, social and communicative) was provided, a variety of the forms (a special course "From the learning of native culture to the patriotism of agrarian students"; events for support of participants of anti-terrorist operation, families of the lost defenders of the motherland and the disabled; discussions, debates, scientific circles, problem groups, trips-excursions, Museum visits, club activities, summer labor groups, internships in EU countries, environmental groups, student fellowship, participation in all-Ukrainian competitions of student research papers, student research conferences, participation in editorial Board of the newspaper "My Academy", socio-psychological trainings, individual consultations, practical work at the experimental fields and at the academic veterinary hospitals, meeting with specialists of the agricultural sector, environmental guard, training) and the methods (informational, discussion, research, practical, dramatization, analysis, design activity, case study, field methods of observation and analysis, illustration, video exercises, demonstrations, round tables, brainstorming, self-regulation, correction, stimulation, bleachers) is used. The extracurricular activities contributed to the development of students' patriotism and have been focused on the personal and professional growth of the future agrarian specialists.
