Thompson, Alford, Cuellar, Panetta, Porter Lead Effort to Bolster Agriculture Education

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Mark Alford (R-MO), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Katie Porter (D-CA) today, in honor of National Agriculture Day, introduced the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag)Act to improve agriculture education opportunities in our schools.

The GO Ag Act would create a $5 million grant program to help high schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. Schools could apply for competitive grants to cover classroom and laboratory instruction, teacher salaries, and curriculum development. With the most recent Census of Agriculture showing a rapidly aging farm workforce in the United States, it is critical to invest in programs that promote agriculture at an early age.

"The average age of a farmer in the U.S. is over 58-years-old; it’s imperative for both food security and our national security that we promote the next generation of agricultural leaders," Rep. Thompson (R-PA) said. "Investing in education is the most commonsense way to prepare individuals who are passionate about a career in agriculture.”

“Right now, America is losing tens of thousands of farms and ranches every year. Educational opportunities are an easy way to counteract that,” Rep. Alford (R-MO) said. “This legislation will provide opportunities to allow the next generation to find their path in the agriculture industry. From farmers to scientists, businesspeople, economists, journalists and more, agriculture education plays a vital role in shaping the future of our young people. I look forward to working with Chairman Thompson to ensure this bill makes it across the finish line.”
 
"Agriculture plays a vital part in South Texas’s economy. To cultivate the next generation of South Texas farmers and ranchers, we must invest in quality agricultural education for our high school students,” Rep. Cuellar (D-TX) said. “I am pleased to join Congressman Thompson in introducing this legislation to help provide students with important real-life opportunities to learn about a career in agriculture.”

“We need to expand agriculture education programs in order to cultivate the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and producers,” Rep. Panetta (D-CA) said.  “Our bipartisan legislation would provide the necessary federal resources to support local programs that introduce our young people to the exciting career opportunities throughout the agricultural sector.  Through the GO Ag Act, we’re investing in the young leaders integral to the future of farming here in America and food security around the world.”

“Growing up on a family farm and being active in Future Farmers of America, I understand how valuable agricultural education is for students and our nation’s economy,” Rep. Porter (D-CA) said. “Our bipartisan push to expand opportunities in agriculture will help sow the seeds for the next generation of American farmers.”
 
“The development of new school-based agriculture education programs through the GO Ag Act is crucial to filling our agriculture talent pipeline which provides high-demand, high-wage careers. This act also provides opportunities for students to use inquiry-based learning as part of agricultural education to become the next generation of problem solvers who will work to help feed the world,” – Alissa Smith, CEO, the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
 
The GO Ag Act is also endorsed by: The American Farm Bureau Federation, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, National FFA, National 4-H, ACTE, Advance CTE, California 4-H,  California Farm Bureau, and the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAEE).

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