CDFA AWARDS FUNDING FOR 2023 CALAGPLATE GRANT PROGRAM

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SACRAMENTO, December 5, 2023 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $195,838 for organizations to enhance agricultural education and leadership opportunities under the 2023 California Agriculture License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program.

The CalAgPlate program is funded with proceeds generated through the sale of special interest, agriculture-themed license plates through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Since inception of the CalAgPlate grant program, CDFA has awarded over $2 million to support agricultural education and leadership development. Current grant recipients include:

1. California Association, Future Farmers of America (FFA): $166,000
CalAgPlate grant funding will continue to provide support for student leadership and program development for California’s statewide FFA program, which has 360 school chapters throughout the state that provide integral leadership instruction through the FFA student organization to 103,280 student members. This program will increase student access to information about career, leadership, and programmatic opportunities.

2. California Association of Winegrape Growers: $9,908
This project aims to foster a beneficial collaboration between the California Association of Winegrape Growers and California FFA chapters and offer students hands-on experience crafting practical solutions for sustainable agriculture. Students will gain woodworking experience and insight into biodiversity, pest management, and the significance of preserving ecosystems by constructing owl boxes. This promotes stewardship, enhances vineyard sustainability, and provides long-term productivity. FFA students will gain practical skills and environmental awareness, furthering their appreciation for the agriculture industry.

3. Merced Stone Ridge FFA: $9,933
The project will educate and create awareness among 6th-12th grade students on the practice of hot metal work, and why specific tools and metals are used. The students will learn and complete skills objectives such as metal preparation, understanding the basics of durability, types, and purpose of metals, as well as the weaknesses and strengths of each metal for this task. The objective is to provide opportunities for students to prepare for agricultural skills needed for jobs in the county of Merced.

4. Merced Stone Ridge FFA: $9,997
This project will provide a socially disadvantaged school access to agricultural skills education, awareness, training, and development within the community, whose workforce is largely based in agriculture. Students will be introduced to electrical wiring and woodworking, learning the necessary skills and introduction to tools and materials used to complete basic projects. This program will also include education and career training and awareness discussions about different tools and materials, as well as safety precautions and tool skills.

Please support agricultural education and the CalAgPlate program by purchasing a special interest license plate from the DMV.

More information is available at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/calagplate/

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