Concerns About Future Of Ag Education
Mother Lode lawmakers are urging Governor Jerry Brown to continue funding a $4.1 million Agriculture Education Incentive grant program.
Funding to continue the grant was inserted at the last minute before the last budget was signed over the summer. The lawmakers state that California’s 315 high school agriculture programs in the state would have been eliminated if funding was not renewed. 20 lawmakers have signed a letter sent to Governor Brown urging him to ensure that funding be included in the next budget as well.
One of the lawmakers signing the letter was District Five Republican Frank Bigelow. “As a product of high school agricultural education programs and an active participant in the Future Farmers of America organization, I know first-hand the value these programs have on California’s young people,” Assemblyman Bigelow said. “California farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most abundant food supply in the world and at the core of the industry’s success are its future leaders who are groomed through high school agricultural education programs.”
The letter is also signed by District 14 Republican Senator Tom Berryhill.
