WASHINGTON – A group of US senators recently introduced a bill to expand community college offerings in agriculture education.
The six senators sponsored the Community College Ag Advancement Act that will authorize $20 million in funding for workforce training, education and research programs each fiscal year from 2024 to 2029.
“Through their research into cutting-edge precision ag technologies or workforce development programs, community colleges are a vital part of Nebraska’s agricultural economy,” said Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) “Our legislation would ensure community colleges get the federal resources they deserve to expand their successful educational and workforce training initiatives in the community. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on more bipartisan opportunities within this year’s Farm Bill.”
The proposed law said many of the nation’s 1,100 community colleges already offer training for the agricultural workforce but community college agricultural programs have been excluded from federal funding opportunities.
“The members of the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3) are dedicated to partnering with employers, producers and industry professionals to advance agricultural education, demonstration and training throughout the Midwest,” said Tracy Kruse, PhD, executive director for Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement. “This Farm Bill initiative would support the development of new middle skills workforce programming that is imperative to meeting our world’s growing food needs and sustaining our land and natural resources for future generations.”
The legislation would also amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to allow community colleges access to grant money for agriculture programs.
Some suggested uses for agricultural community college funding by Fischer included:
- Collaborating with land grant universities and other higher education institutes
- Disseminating information relating to agriculture, renewable resources and other relevant communities
- Purchasing equipment and other infrastructure
- Developing apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities
- Extending educational research and outreach activities
In addition to Senators Fischer and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D- Minn.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). US Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) and Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) led the introduction of companion legislation in the US House.
