Governor signs budget that includes FFA Ag Incentive Grant that benefits ag education

“Today’s victory would not have been possible without the countless students, farmers, business owners, educators, community members, and fellow legislators who stood by FFA and fought with me to preserve Ag Education,” said Salas.  “Funding is now secured for this next budget cycle to invest in our students and give them the vocational skills and leadership development necessary to advance California and meet local industry demands. However, we must continue to be diligent and support my AB 2033, which seeks to guarantee dedicated funding in the future years for this important program.”

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.

Salas also authored Assembly Bill (AB) 2033 which calls for dedicated future funding to the Ag Education Incentive Grant Program, and which recently passed the Assembly floor. AB 2033 is currently being considered in the Senate and will later go to the Governor. 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.