Salas honored for his work for the FFA at annual convention held last week in Fresno

“This conference is testimony to the strong leadership skills that students develop through ag education programs,” said Salas. “It is an honor to be recognized by the California FFA for fighting for a cause so near and dear to my heart. These funds not only help students develop technical skills; it improves our local communities and our state’s economy.”

Among thousands of students and advisors, Salas was recognized for his leadership and support of FFA through his work to restore the Agriculture Incentive Grant Program for the state’s FFA programs.

Salas spoke about the importance of agriculture education and his efforts to save $4.1 million in funding for the Incentive Grant Program through AB 2033, a community letter-writing campaign, and other legislative efforts.

“I appreciate all of the hard work these folks have done to ensure my colleagues in the Legislature see the importance of ag education - but we still have work left to do,” said he said. “The Governor has received over 10,000 letters; let’s make that number grow. Continue to contact your local elected officials and let them know that ag education is vital to California.”

In March, Salas welcomed thousands of FFA students to the Capitol for Ag Day for a rally in support of AB 2033. Last week, Salas, in his first term as an assemblyman, and FFA students testified before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education where they urged that $4.1 million in funding be restored to the Agriculture Education Incentive Grant Program for 2014-2015.

Following the testimony, the Subcommittee voted unanimously to restore the funding for the current fiscal year. The Assembly Budget Committee will soon meet to finalize the “May Revise” and decide the future of the program’s funding. AB 2033 (Salas) seeks to secure funding for Agriculture Incentive Grant Program in the future.