05/25/2017
For the past several months, FFA members and supporters have done an excellent job of sharing with our state lawmakers in Salem the value and power of FFA and agricultural education through visits, emails, town halls, and other events.
We have had positive feedback from lawmakers - our presence at town halls and in Salem has been strong. But we need more people to contact Salem right now.
In order to move forward, the Joint Ways and Means Education Subcommittee must take up the bills. Otherwise, it dies and all the progress is for naught.
Salem is down to hard decisions. They can fund the only support for educating about agriculture, or they won't. I can't underscore how important it is we show our support for this.
What can you do? Email your reps, ask them to reach out to their colleagues with support and secure theirs. Email the Subcommittee https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Committees/JWMED/Overview
and the overall Committee Co-Chairs (Devlin and Nathanson).
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/devlin
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nathanson
As past FFA Members that DON'T Live in OREGON, you can still tell the story of how it impacted your life. Contact the Sub Committee and TELL THE STORY. EVEN IF YOU DON"T LIVE IN OREGON ANY MORE.
We need you to continue sending that message - now! The legislation brought forth by the Oregon Agriculture Teachers Association (HB 2382 and SB 230) have both passed through their respective Education Committees and passed along to the Joint Ways and Means Committee where the decision to include FFA - or not to - will be decided.
Our legislators must hear from us! If they don't, then FFA and agricultural education will not be a priority in the coming weeks of decision making.
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
1 - Contact the Sub-Committee on Education for the Joint Ways and Means Committee NOW! You can find them by clicking here. Share why FFA and ag education are vital to our students and industry! Also please contact each of the chairs of Ways and Means - Senator Richard Devlin and Representative Nancy Nathanson. We recommend sending individual messages (you can copy past the content) rather than a blanket message to the entire committee.
2 - Contact your representative and senator NOW and ask them to support FFA by urging their colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to support HB2382/SB230. Tell how important FFA and ag education is! Click here to find your legislator.
3 - FORWARD this message! Please pass this along to any and all who support FFA and ag education! While we have been fortunate to be well received so far, it will all be for naught if we don't speak up and reach out NOW! Tell them how important it is for them to also reach out to their legislators!
You can find more information at www.ovata.org. Imagine the impact if thousands of emails arrived in Salem in support of FFA!
What do I include in my communication?
- Say who you are and where you live, and any professional ties (business owner, industry you are engaged in, etc)
- Urge support for FFA and agricultural education by supporting HB 2382 and SB 230 (see above)
- Provide a personal example or stories that demonstrate the value of these programs (your experience, your children's, your interactions with FFA members, etc) - this is the most important and what convinces people to support!
- Thank them for their time and support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does HB 2382/SB 230 do?
A: This legislation reestablishes funding for the Oregon FFA Association, which has been funded solely through private support and student fees. These bills put FFA back into the state budget, where it was prior to 2011. It removes barriers for students to participate, expands opportunities, and strengthens the ability for FFA to develop student leadership and personal growth.
Q: How do you expect to pay for financial support for the FFA Association when the state is facing a $1.6 billion budget shortfall
A: Until 2011, the FFA Association was part of the state budget. A crippling recession saw smaller and smaller allocations, until it was time for FFA to seek other support. Since then, the state of Oregon's general fund expenditures have risen 40%. It is time for our state to invest again in this valuable program, especially when the cost is so small in this year of record revenue. It isn't a matter of funding so much as a matter of priorities.
Q: How will this impact local ag programs and FFA chapters?
A: A great deal of the requested funding will directly benefit local students. Every Ag Education student will automatically be an FFA member, with no financial barrier of dues. As well, direct chapter benefits will allow programs to participate in expanded opportunities of leadership conferences, conventions, and competitions. Right now, much of the burden of these activities is placed on our students and teachers.
Q: The Oregon FFA Association is currently privately funded. What will happen to that support?
A: We have continued to have our statewide FFA programs because of our invaluable, committed industry supporters through the FFA Foundation. The Foundation has been focused on keeping the Association going, and surviving. However, we cannot grow past our current point and serve more students without greater investment. This is the only way to continue to grow and serve more students at a time when CTE and CTSOs are invaluable in helping our schools serve these students and our industries. We know that we will continue to see our community and business partners support our local and state programs, enhancing and adding to this investment by the state of Oregon.
