U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Bellafonte, joined Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, to introduce the bipartisan Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO AG) Act to improve agriculture education opportunities in schools.

The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., and Anthony Brindisi, D-N.Y., would create grants available to high schools to cover the cost of starting an agriculture education program.

“Restoring a robust rural economy depends largely upon appealing to the next generation,” Thompson said. “Investing in education is perhaps the most commonsense way to prepare individuals who are passionate about a career in agriculture for the workforce. The GO AG Act is not only an investment in agriculture education but also the future of our agricultural supply chain.”

The GO AG Act would create a $5 million grant program to help high schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs. Schools could apply for the competitive grants to cover classroom and laboratory instruction, teacher salaries and curriculum development.

The GO AG Act is endorsed by: National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), National Founding Farmers of America (FFA), Iowa FFA, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri FFA.