More than 1,000 FFA members were in Springfield yesterday with legislators fighting for funding. Governor Rauner has proposed eliminating agriculture education funding. Without it, ag education leaders say important programs will be eliminated. In recent years, state funding has been whittled down to just $1.8 million from the board of education’s recommended $3 million. Now Governor Rauner wants to eliminate funding altogether. Some lawmakers say cutting Ag education funding could deeply affect the future of our state.
“They’re the ones that are going to go to college and get a degree that will somehow help them in agriculture. They may come back to the family farm or they may go farm somewhere else, but the time to spark their interest is one they’re youth and without that program, there will be no spark of interest,” said Representative Sue Scherer.
Illinois FFA says zero funding would force it to also eliminate the ag in the classroom program, and curriculum resources and professional development opportunities for teachers.
