The Agricultural Education Line Item has fluctuated in its years of existence from $48,500 in 1987 to $7,050,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. This line item covers program you know, including the Teacher Three Circle Grant, Ag Incentive Funding Grants, FCAE Field Staff, Teacher Professional Development, Curriculum Development, the IL Ag Education Website, Agricultural Education Tracker (AET) Subscriptions, University Ag Incentive Funding Grants, the Growing AgriScience Teacher Grants, and the PreService Teacher Internship Program, just to name a few. 

As was discussed at the 2023 IAVAT Conference, additional funds will be needed in order to fully fund the Teacher Three Circle Grant and bring funding for the Ag Incentive Funding Grant to increased levels for all programs. 

Therefore, we are requesting $10,000,000 in funding for the Illinois Agricultural Education Line-Item for fiscal year 2025. Budget hearings at the Illinois State Board of Education kick-off this week, and we are asking for the support of our teachers and your students leaders in submitting a written testimony that shares the value of this grant to you, your students and your program. 

If you are able to write a brief statement to encourage the increase in funding, please follow the steps below: 

1. Go to the Budget Hearing Request Form.

2. Enter your contact information. Be sure to include your school name in the designated area for “Speaker’s Organization”. Click “I do not plan to attend a budget hearing but still wish to submit written testimony.” 

3. A new screen will appear at the bottom where you will indicate the following: 

-Select a Program: Agricultural Education

-Additional Funding Requested: $2,950,000 (this will make the Total FY25
Funding show $10,000,000.

-Include your brief written testimony in support of the Agricultural
Education Line Item.

To help you with your statement, I have attached talking points as well as a breakdown of the use of funds for your review.

Please let me know if you have any questions. If you have a few moments to share your personal experiences with the grants, how they have benefited your program and how increased funding will allow your program to continue to benefit into the future, we appreciate it. 

Sincerely,
Jennifer  

*Sent to All Agricultural Education Instructors