at the Capitol
On March 19th, 1,800 FFA students represented more than 125 chapters as they rallied at the
State Capitol to save the FFA. California FFA has been facing the threat of losing the financial support of
the Agriculture Incentive Grant (AIG). The 78,000 FFA members throughout the state will be impacted
by the loss of about $4.1 million dollars in funding if the AIG is lost. Governor Jerry
Brown mistakenly identified the AIG as categorical funding and proposed to give school districts full
control over all categorical funding. This means that funds traditionally offered to FFA chapters through
the grant will be left up to the districts to distribute as they wish – whether that be to ag education
programs or not.
Fortunately, California FFA does its job well and shaped students who were and are willing to
defend the FFA and the reinstatement of the Agriculture Incentive Grant. As nearly 2,000 students
rallied at the Capitol to win the attention and favor of the Governor, hundreds of other members,
parents, and supporters helped the cause by contacting their local legislators. All this made Ag Day
2014 one to remember – both for FFA members and our elected officials.
Thank YOU for all of your help and support. Because of you, elected officials are hearing the
multitude of ways that ag education changes students’ lives.
Right: State FFA Vice President, Valerie Cañas, speaking to the crowd gathered at the Capitol
steps on Ag Day; Bottom fade: The sea of blue corduroy rallying at the State Capitol
Please keep helping us advocate for the Ag Incentive Grant
www.saveffa.com/take-action-2
#SaveFFA
Tweets
@Molls_Blondeyy FFA provides high
school students with amazing life changing
opportunities that cannot be lost
@morganrbarbour An industry that feeds you is
an industry worth fighting for!
@1CarrieMartin FFA not only teaches our
children about #agriculture, it provides them with
skills in #leadership and #teamwork
@coopermellieray Keep the Ag Incentive Grant.
Ag education creates leaders.
@WreckItRahil FFA isn’t just about animals
and farming. It gives you leadership and public
speaking skills alongside career development
skills
@SaraLee0809 I cannot say enough how FFA
has changed my life, but I can tell you that it has
been the best part of it.
@GB2LAJan Food on your table, clothes for you
& your family. Thank the FFA.
@hannahrosef3 The ag education program
develops the young leaders the industry and
state need in order to be successful
@SanJoaquinFFA Agricultural education and
FFA produces bright, talented students seeking
careers in agriculture and beyond
@sarahd1870 I believe in the future of
agriculture
@Beth_4_Ag FFA did more for me than I can
get in a tweet. Real world education, leadership
& skills.
www. saveffa
12
California FFANEWS • Early Summer 2014