In This Issue:
Sacramento Scene
  • Sacramento Scene: Sustainably Funded Education Still Wise in Times of Abundance

News & Views
  • Idea Show Will Feature Best Ideas in Ag Education
  • Using the Judging Card Tabulations System for State Finals Career Development Events
  • Farm Bureau Foundation Now Accepting Teacher Resource Grant Applications
  • Remembering Bob Heuvel
  • The History of Agricultural Education in California
By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

June is a busy time at the State Capitol. The California State Budget negotiations are in full swing. The budget must be passed by June 15th, and everyone is vying for a piece of the nearly 100-billion-dollar surplus before that deadline passes.
 
First, Governor Newsom released the May revised budget. Then in June, the Legislature released their draft 2022-23 State Budget. Unfortunately, the two budgets do not align. The suggested legislative budget allocates school districts and charter schools an additional $4.5 billion than the budget proposed by Newsom. This district funding increase would come at the expense of some of Governor Newsom's favored proposals like early literacy and additional reading specialists in schools (Fensterwald, 2022).
Idea Show Will Feature Best Ideas in Ag Education
By: Kerry Stockton, CATA Executive Assistant

The CATA Idea Show is back on Cal Poly’s campus. Showcase your great teaching ideas at this year’s CATA Summer Conference. Bring your entries to the Farm Shop (Building 09) on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on June 21st.

Remember, a lot of demos and class activities are based on handouts or displays. All of these would make great entries for the Idea Show. You can’t win if you don’t enter!
By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

Gratitude 
Congratulations and a tremendous thank you to all the hosts of State Finals Career Development Events (CDE) this year. The time, effort, and dedication put forth by these hosts far exceeded that of previous years as we moved to the Judging Card Tabulations system. Because of that work and dedication, the 2022 California State Finals CDE’s were successful. 

As with all changes, there were growing pains and we all learned a lot about the new tabulations system. There is a lot of work to be done to reduce the workload for host sites and decrease the probability of mistakes with the new tabulations system. The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) has the opportunity to improve the system for future events.
Farm Bureau Foundation Now Accepting Teacher Resource Grant Applications

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA) is now accepting applications for the Christina Sue Lilja Teacher Resource Grants. Applications are due June 30. Eighty-five applicants will be chosen to receive a $100 credit to the AFBFA online store, which features a wide variety of teaching resources, including ag mags, lesson plans, books, and much more.

Teachers receiving the grants will be able to purchase accurate agricultural literacy materials from the AFBFA store for use in their classrooms. By providing the grants, AFBFA hopes to help students gain access to more accurate information about agriculture.
Remembering Bob Heuvel
By Jack Havens, former Southern Region FFA Advisor

On June 11th, the FFA Community gathered at the FFA Center in Galt to celebrate the life of Bob Heuvel and dedicate the state officer dorms in his honor. During the event, Jack Havens, former Southern Region FFA Advisor, shared about the significant contributions Bob Heuvel made throughout his life. 

As I sat down to write some thoughts of Bob Heuvel, Ag Education Program Manager and State FFA Advisor from 1989 to 2014, I realized it’s been eight years since he retired. So, if the theories are correct, half of the current ag teachers in California were hired after his retirement and know little about the man. I knew Bob for over 40 years. He was my Master Teacher at Gonzales High School and hired me to teach at Gonzales after I received my credential. In 2000, he asked me to join him on the State Staff team as the Southern Region Supervisor.
The History of Agricultural Education in California
By Charles Parker, State FFA Advisor

From time to time, reflecting on the past provides clarity to the present. In the coming issues of the Golden Slate, we will reflect back on the vast history of agricultural education.

In 1930, under the direction of George Couper, Assistant State FFA Advisor, the “California Future Farmer Magazine” was first published. For the ensuing fifty years, this monthly publication highlighted the many accomplishments of members, teachers, and supporters of California FFA. A collection of the magazines is available at the FFA Center for review.

I hope this brief walk down memory lane creates a few laughs, a few tears, and many ideas.