Support Feenstra’s Community College Agriculture Advancement Act
A quality, affordable education equips our students with the tools and knowledge that they need to succeed and make a difference in our communities, our state, our country, and the world – without breaking the bank. As President of Iowa Valley Community College District, I’ve had the pleasure of watching our students learn important skills, expand their horizons, and develop tomorrow’s solutions for the challenges facing the globe today. The growth I’ve seen firsthand is an inspiration for the future.
In Iowa, the agriculture industry is a vital component of our state’s economy and, consequently, a large employer for our students and graduates. Because of this importance we offer classes and opportunities that prepare our graduates to enter the workforce and succeed in the world of agriculture. These courses are taught at Ellsworth Community College, but the ECC faculty members partner with MCC to offer opportunities throughout our four county services area. Of course, this worthy goal requires sufficient funding, which at times, is in short supply.
It has been a pleasure to work with Congressman Randy Feenstra to advocate for federal support for community colleges and our agriculture programs for our students and our communities. This year, he introduced the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act, which would help institutions like Iowa Valley expand agriculture education and provide the best experience possible for students pursuing a career in agriculture.
Iowa’s community colleges have a critical role to play in growing our state’s workforce and powering our economy. Congressman Feenstra’s Community College Agriculture Advancement Act would help us continue to offer the high-quality educational opportunities that our agriculture students and communities deserve.