Salas helps Ag Incentive Funding get approved by State Assembly

“We must protect the Ag Education Incentive Grant for our schools and students,” said Salas. “Our students deserve the opportunity to continue developing the technical and leadership skills necessary to lead and feed California into the future.”

Programs funded by the Agriculture Education Incentive Grant Program give students and teachers the technical skills needed to meet local industry demands through welding, husbandry, agri-science, mechanics, and a variety of other vocational programs.

The Ag Incentive Grant services nearly every region in the state - over 75,000 students. There are several FFA chapters in the 32nd Assembly District, including: Arvin, Avenal, Bakersfield, Foothill, ROC, Golden Valley, Mira Monte, Corcoran, Delano, Paramount Bard Academy, Hanford, Lemoore, McFarland, Shafter, and Wasco.

“Today the state legislature took another step towards securing funding for the Ag Incentive Grant,” said Salas. “I ask my colleagues and the community to continue fighting for this investment in our next generation.”

In April, Salas was joined by FFA students from the 32nd Assembly District and across the state to testify 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.

Later, Salas also testified before the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education about the importance of funding this program. Both Subcommittees voted in favor of restoring $4.1 million in funding to the program in this year’s fiscal budget.

AB 2033 will next move to the Senate for consideration.