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Thompson Joins Finkenauer to Introduce Agriculture Education Legislation

October 6, 2020

Thompson Joins Finkenauer to Introduce Agriculture Education Legislation

HOWARD, PA — Today, Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson joined Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) to introduce the bipartisan Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO AG) Act to improve agriculture education opportunities in our schools.

The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Congressmen Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) and Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), would create grants available to high schools to cover the cost of starting an agriculture education program.

"Restoring a robust rural economy depends largely upon appealing to the next generation," said Rep. Glenn ‘G.T.' Thompson. "Investing in education is perhaps the most commonsense way to prepare individuals who are passionate about a career in agriculture for the workforce. The GO AG Act is not only an investment in agriculture education but also the future of our agricultural supply chain."

"Farming is an important tradition as well as an essential economic engine in our state. That's why it's incredibly important to recruit and educate the next generation of Iowa farmers," Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. "I am proud to be joined by Congressman Thompson in introducing the GO AG Act to make sure that high schoolers are considering careers in agriculture and have access to the experiences and opportunities to do so."

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 the competitive grants to cover classroom and laboratory instruction, teacher salaries and curriculum development.

The GO AG Act is endorsed by: National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), National Founding Farmers of America (FFA), Iowa FFA, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri FFA.

Support for the GO AG Act:
"On behalf of the board of directors and the over 9,000 members of the National Association of Agricultural Educators, I am grateful to Representative Finkenauer for her support for school-based agricultural education in our schools," said Parker Bane, NAAE President and agriculture teacher at Normal Community West High School in Normal, Illinois. "Opening agricultural education programs where they don't exist currently will expand opportunities for students to learn science, mathematics, and literacy skills in the applied context of agriculture, which is our nation's most important industry sector. Ag-related value chains provide excellent opportunities for high-demand, high-wage careers and school-based agricultural education programs are the beginning of the human capital pipeline for these careers."

"Agricultural education plays an important role not only in FFA but in developing a future generation of leaders. Through hands-on experiential learning, students in agricultural education develop skill-sets to help them succeed in life, said Dr. James Woodward, National FFA Advisor. "The Finkenauer legislation enables more students to experience agricultural education and the opportunities it offers."

"On behalf of the National FFA Organization, I'd like to express my thanks to Congresswoman Finkenauer, Congressman Thompson, and Congressman Luetkemeyer for their leadership in ensuring support for school-based agricultural education programs. As National FFA works to grow the world's next generation of leaders, we recognize and realize that we are just one piece in this puzzle," said Mark Poeschl, CEO, National FFA Organization. "This legislation provides opportunities for students to experience classroom instruction, a work or project-based experience (which we refer to as a Supervised Agricultural Experience) and of course the National FFA Organization. We look forward to the passing of this legislation and the impact it will provide to future students of agricultural education."
Issues:Agriculture