Sioux City Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 7, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) helped introduce, alongside Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS), the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act, which would equip community and technical colleges with the resources they need to expand agriculture education for their students and the next generation of farmers.

“Our exceptional community colleges have an important role to play in expanding and promoting agriculture education in Iowa. From increasing crop yields to lowering input costs, there is a wealth of information available to new and beginning farmers as they prepare for the future. The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act will equip the next generation of farmers and producers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the field and beyond,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Born and raised in rural Iowa, I will always be a strong advocate for agriculture education and its priceless benefits for our rural economy. I hope to see this legislation pass the Congress — either in the Farm Bill or independently — and be signed into law because agriculture education remains a vital investment for rural America.”

“Iowa Central Community College is excited about the opportunities for our students within the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act. With community colleges serving our rural, local communities, this Act will allow us to better train the workforce our region desperately needs, without the need for a baccalaureate degree,” said Dr. Jesse Ulrich, President of Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, Iowa. “Our goal is for students to come to ICCC and finish their degrees and certifications in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of student loan debt as possible, so they can have a better life. The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act helps us meet this goal.”

“We are grateful that Congressman Randy Feenstra has championed the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act. We commend the Congressman for supporting the critical role that community colleges play in preparing the future workforce for our country’s agricultural sector,” said Dr. John Hartog, President of Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon, Iowa. “This legislation enables industry-responsive training that will produce skilled workers with short-term credentials. This plan empowers community colleges to work more closely with their areas’ industries to address workforce needs region by region.”

“We are focused on helping our communities thrive and appreciate legislation that recognizes the important role that community colleges play in developing the agricultural sector,” said Dr. Terry Murrell, President of Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, Iowa.

“As the President of Iowa Valley Community College District, I am proud of our robust and diverse Agricultural programs,” said Dr. Kristie Fisher, President of Iowa Valley Community, Marshalltown, Iowa. “I see this as a huge step in helping our nation’s Community Colleges help expand the high demand Workforce needs in our Agriculture, Bioprocessing and Biofuel sectors. We appreciate Congressman Feenstra’s willingness to co-sponsor this legislation.”

More specifically, this legislation would amend the Farm Bill to create new opportunities for community and technical colleges through Capacity Building Grants for Community College Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs, and Centers of Agriculture Advancement.

The bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer competitive grants to community and technical colleges, and to consortia and alliances of community and technical colleges supporting agriculture advancement, to assist in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct workforce training, education, research, and outreach activities relating to agriculture and renewable resources.

You can find legislative text HERE.

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Issues: Agriculture

Original source can be found here.