In This Issue: CATA Articles Is the AIG Juice Worth the Squeeze?  Welcome New Professionals! CDE Updates Decrease in K-14 Prop 98 Funding News & Views FFA Field Day Opportunities in 2023 Featured Field Day: Chico State and Butte College Field Day  Featured Field Day: Colusa Redhawk Classic Coming Soon: The 5th Annual Blue Corduroy Classic Golden Owl Award: Nominate A Colleague Today! Cal Poly Ambassadors Represent California at National Convention Modesto JC Hosts Livestock Sale National FFA News and Updates

Is the AIG Juice Worth the Squeeze?  By Matt Patton, Executive Director

In an era of abundant Career Technical Education (CTE) funding, some CTE directors and administrators may be asking if it’s worth applying for the Agriculture Incentive Grant (AIG). The question stems from the fact that AIG has stricter requirements and lower available funds in relation to other CTE funding sources. In analyzing the question, “Is the AIG juice worth the squeeze?”, a brief history of CTE funding would be helpful. The AIG grant was established in 1983. The funding, only available to secondary agriculture education programs, was inserted into the budget by legislators threatening to hold up the passage of the entire California State Budget unless the incentive for agricultural education was added. The stringent quality criteria to incentivize high-quality programs set AIG apart from other specialized funding. The requirements set forth by the California Department of Education (CDE) were designed to ensure that the funds being allocated went to high-quality ag programs operating within specific parameters. The unique aspect of the legislation was the oversight and clawback authority granted to CDE to ensure the integrity of the grant. There are virtually no other grant programs that can require districts to return funds to the state if the criterion of the grant is not met. Currently, AIG receives $6.134 million annually.

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Welcome New Professionals!

Agricultural teachers new to the profession gathered in Fresno last month for the New Professionals Institute. The objective of the conference is to help teachers in their first, second, or third year increase professional confidence and competency in a collaborative environment. This year, 200 participants from all regions of the state attended. On behalf of the CATA, we welcome all our new professionals and wish you the best as you begin your journey.

South Coast Region Superior Region

Central Region Southern Region

North Coast Region San Joaquin Region

Decrease in K-14 Prop 98 Funding By EdSource

After years of record-high education funding, California is now projecting a $2.6 billion deficit for schools and community colleges starting in July. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, in its annual budget prediction, anticipates the state will have to dip into its education rainy day fund for the first time to cover the projected deficit. California’s overall state budget deficit is expected to reach $25 billion. But the state’s “precarious” financial picture would worsen if California falls into a recession in 2023. While there is “an elevated risk” of that, LAO is not assuming it. However, an erosion of economic conditions will lead to a significant decline in state revenues in 2022-23, with a recovery starting in 2024-25. Some worry that the LAO’s budget forecast could mean cuts to new programs that the state adopted when state revenue was high. California School Boards Association spokesman Troy Flint said “there’s a lot of anxiety” as the organization awaits the first week of January when Gov. Gavin Newsom will present his 2023-24 budget proposal. CONTINUE READING FFA Field Day Opportunities in 2023 Are your students ready to showcase their knowledge, demonstrate agricultural skills, and grow as leaders? Then you’re ready to register for the 2023 FFA Field Days! Check out this comprehensive spreadsheet featuring FFA Field Days throughout the state. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VhjDLvQcKBXMa6Y92qnvXnNPWCjGEqyE8KBqDzFkFJU/edit?usp=sharing

Featured Field Day: Chico State and Butte College Field Day  The 2023 Chico State and Butte College Field Day will be held on February 11. Check-in will begin at 7 a.m. with contests starting at 8 a.m. All fees will be collected through JudgingCard. Registration is open now through January 27 at 5 p.m. No late registrations will be accepted. Please email jmtoombs@csuchico.edu with any questions regarding field day logistics or registration. Registration Link: https://www.judgingcard.com/Registration/Info.aspx?ID=15948

Featured Field Day: Colusa Redhawk Classic

The Colusa Redhawk Classic offers students the opportunity to practice their career development and leadership skills in an online format. The Redhawk Classic includes AET Farm Records, BIG, Cooperative Marketing, Livestock (test only), Veg Crop, and Vet Science (test and ID only). Contest dates are January 23, February 27, March 13, and May 1. The $140 team entry fee includes all four contest dates. Registration closes January 18, 2023. Visit https://forms.gle/9WqvPQpttBqeWpQc6 to register.

Coming Soon: The 5th Annual Blue Corduroy Classic

Save the date for FFA’s annual online auction that benefits over 98,000 members across the state! On January 17, 2023, FFA alumni, friends, and supporters will have the opportunity to bid on hundreds of items, with all the proceeds going to the California FFA. Here’s how you can get involved: Donate an item, service, or experience for the auction. Your donation and business will be promoted online, and your contribution will directly benefit FFA. You can fill out the online auction form or contact Katie Otto. Save the date, hop online, and bid on the many fabulous items available. An auction preview will be available before the event, and will be sent via email.

Golden Owl Award: Nominate A Colleague Today!

"As a teacher, we give so much of our personal and family time to our FFA family and students, that this recognition reminded me of why I do what I do. The recognition validated the time I dedicate in this profession and the skill set I teach my students. Although we are not in it for the personal recognition, it is nice to know I made an impact in my students' lives to the point where they felt I was deserving of this award.”  - Elizabeth Ammon Golden Owl Award Recipient Susanville FFA Chapter

The Golden Owl Award Program, a partnership between Nationwide, California Farm Bureau, and California FFA, is designed to recognize teachers who go above and beyond. Anyone can nominate their favorite agricultural teacher and summarize what makes him or her the best in the state. To nominate an outstanding ag teacher, visit https://form.jotform.com/CaliforniaFFA/2023-golden-owl-award.  Nominations close on January 23, 2023.

Cal Poly Ambassadors Represent California at National Convention

The Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) Ambassadors, a college-wide student organization whose purpose is to act as a public relations team for the college, traveled more than 2,000 miles in October to attend the 95th annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana – bringing California agriculture to more than 55,000 students and teachers eager to learn more. Four CAFES Ambassadors applied and were hand-selected to attend the event, bringing with them intimate knowledge in their own areas of study including agricultural business, agriculture communications, agricultural science, and animal science.  Cal Poly San Luis Obispo served as the only California university on the trade floor this year, educating students in attendance from other areas of the country about California commodities such as wine, strawberries and citrus, as well as introducing prospective students to the fifth-largest college of agriculture in the country with more than 4,100 undergraduate students. However, Cal Poly students who attended the conference gained more than simply promoting Cal Poly and California agriculture. Students networked with companies offering internships and explored future career opportunities and reconnected with students and advisors they knew from their time involved in their own high school FFA chapters. For many, it also served as a sense of returning home to an organization that played an influential role in their own pursuit of careers in agriculture.

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Modesto JC Hosts Livestock Sale

Save the date! On January 28, MJC will host their annual sheep, goat, and hog pen sale. This unique livestock sale offers 4-H and FFA members the chance to purchase pre-priced, quality projects for various budgets. View this flier for additional information about the event. Last year, over 90 livestock projects went home with happy customers. Questions? Contact Tim Truax at truaxt@yosemite.edu.

National FFA News and Updates Compiled by Jason Ferreira, Hanford High School Ag Teacher and National FFA Teacher Ambassador

National FFA Scholarships Available Last year, 840 students from 43 states were awarded more than $1.6 million through the National FFA Foundation’s scholarship program. Scholarships are awarded annually to students with a variety of higher education plans and career goals, and are available to support FFA high school seniors and collegiate members. Only one application is needed to be considered for many scholarship opportunities. The 2023 scholarship application will be available through the FFA online scholarship portal from November 1, 2022 to January 12, 2023.  Celebrate National FFA Week (Feb 18-25) Ready to start planning for National FFA Week 2023? Check out the fully updated National FFA Week web page for all your planning needs, such as the National FFA Week Implementation Guide. New Virtual Student Workshops You don’t have to travel to Indianapolis to attend student workshops and grow as a leader. Check out the five new virtual student workshops from the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo, now available in the FFA Video Library. Topics include careers, leadership, service, and advocacy. NEW Food Science Resource Looking for resources to help you teach food science concepts or prepare students to compete in the Food Science & Technology CDE? This resource offers lesson plans for six food science units, including topics like sensory evaluation, foodborne illness, and product development. Living to Serve Grants The 2023 Spring Semester-Long Living to Serve Grant will open December 15. FFA chapters may apply for up to $1,200 to support semester-long service-learning projects that address community needs in one of four focus areas: Community Safety; Hunger, Health and Nutrition; Environmental Responsibility and Community Engagement. Grant applications are due February 1, 2023.