H.R. 4945: Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act

This bill, titled the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act (or GO Ag Act), aims to support the establishment of new agricultural education programs in secondary schools across the United States. It directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities for this purpose. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Grant Program Creation

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to create a grant program where:

• Grants can be awarded to eligible entities, such as schools or educational institutions, to establish new agricultural education programs.
• Each grant is limited to a maximum period of five years.

Application Process

To qualify for a grant, eligible entities must submit an application that includes:

• Information about the partners involved in the agricultural education programs.
• Assurance that the program is new and not yet operational.
• A detailed budget that outlines additional funding sources needed to support the program once the grant ends.
• Information on how the program will benefit students, especially those from special populations.
• Coordination with activities under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.
• Evidence that the program addresses local employer needs.
• Commitment to provide data for program evaluation and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

Funding Usage

Grants must be used specifically for creating new agricultural education programs, which may include:

• Developing educational curriculum and delivering instruction, including practical, hands-on experiences.
• Purchasing necessary equipment, technology, and materials for courses.
• Covering other costs deemed eligible by the Secretary of Education.

Evaluation and Reporting

Entities receiving grants are required to conduct independent evaluations of their programs and submit annual reports that should include:

• A description of how the grant funds were utilized.
• Performance metrics for the programs based on existing educational standards.
• A quantitative analysis of the program’s effectiveness.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms, such as:

• Agricultural education: Refers to career and technical education focused on agriculture.
• Eligible entity: Defined in relation to other educational legislation, typically referring to schools and educational institutions that can apply for the grant.
• Eligible partner: This includes institutions of higher education, local businesses, labor organizations, and workforce development boards.

Authorization of Funding

The legislation authorizes a total of $5 million in appropriations to fund this initiative, which will remain available until the fiscal year 2028.

Relevant Companies

None found