REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $200,000 GRANT FOR SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE
June 11, 2013
Funding to help improve sustainable agriculture education
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $200,000 grant for Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). The National Science Foundation grant will fund a project at SRJC aimed at improving sustainable agriculture education and enhancing collaborative efforts between SRJC, local high schools and public universities in California.
“Agriculture is the economic heartbeat of Sonoma County,” said Thompson. “Having a well-educated workforce that's knowledgeable in sustainability will help make sure our community's tradition of sustainable agriculture remains strong for generations to come.”
The project, entitled "Improving Pathways in Sustainable Agriculture Education," provides a more streamlined education in the field of sustainable agriculture by improving collaboration between Santa Rosa Junior College, local high schools and state-supported universities in California.
High school students will be introduced to sustainable agriculture through outreach and a summer academy program where they receive dual credit and also credit by examination for selected high school courses.
For students enrolled in sustainable agriculture programs at SRJC, the program will improve retention and completion rates through enhanced advising, modifications to curriculum, increased course offerings and the development of internship opportunities.
The project also improves the collaboration of sustainable agriculture courses with California's state-supported four-year institutions such as UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, Chico State and Fresno State to allow more students to pursue and complete four-year degrees in sustainable agriculture.
Students will benefit from practical "farm to table" learning at SRJC's 365 acre Shone Farm. Students will also learn business and marketing aspects that are important to a successful sustainable agriculture operation through internships and student enterprise projects.
Long-term benefits of the project include improved stewardship of the land and natural resources, decreased use of chemicals, healthier food supplies, and new ways to support small and medium farms.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“Agriculture is the economic heartbeat of Sonoma County,” said Thompson. “Having a well-educated workforce that's knowledgeable in sustainability will help make sure our community's tradition of sustainable agriculture remains strong for generations to come.”
The project, entitled "Improving Pathways in Sustainable Agriculture Education," provides a more streamlined education in the field of sustainable agriculture by improving collaboration between Santa Rosa Junior College, local high schools and state-supported universities in California.
High school students will be introduced to sustainable agriculture through outreach and a summer academy program where they receive dual credit and also credit by examination for selected high school courses.
For students enrolled in sustainable agriculture programs at SRJC, the program will improve retention and completion rates through enhanced advising, modifications to curriculum, increased course offerings and the development of internship opportunities.
The project also improves the collaboration of sustainable agriculture courses with California's state-supported four-year institutions such as UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, Chico State and Fresno State to allow more students to pursue and complete four-year degrees in sustainable agriculture.
Students will benefit from practical "farm to table" learning at SRJC's 365 acre Shone Farm. Students will also learn business and marketing aspects that are important to a successful sustainable agriculture operation through internships and student enterprise projects.
Long-term benefits of the project include improved stewardship of the land and natural resources, decreased use of chemicals, healthier food supplies, and new ways to support small and medium farms.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
# # #