Sen. Young is championing the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act, a bipartisan bill designed to provide additional funding for agricultural workforce training, education, and research programs at community colleges. The proposed legislation aims to equip farmers with the necessary tools for the future by ensuring access to up-to-date knowledge and technologies.
According to Sen. Young, running a farm has become increasingly complex, requiring workers to stay updated on the latest advancements in technology and productivity. Critical fields such as precision agriculture and agribusiness offer opportunities for increased profits and higher incomes for farmers and rural communities. The bill seeks to facilitate collaboration between Ivy Tech Community College and other institutions by granting access to various forms of funding, including equipment purchases, infrastructure development, faculty professional growth, and apprenticeship programs.
By investing in agricultural education, the legislation not only attracts skilled individuals to the industry but also enables the adoption of cutting-edge agricultural technologies on Indiana's farms. Sen. Young emphasizes the importance of workforce training that aligns with the evolving farming economy, promoting collaboration between Ivy Tech, land-grant colleges, and other stakeholders who possess the latest technology and training expertise.
The bill proposes $20 million in annual federal funding from 2024 through 2029 to support these initiatives. The legislation enjoys support from Senators John Hickenlooper, Deb Fischer, Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, and Roger Wicker, while U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly and Salud Carbajal lead the House version of the bill.
Categories: Indiana, Business, Government & Policy