PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week passed legislation that extends the due date for the annual report of the Agricultural Education Excellence Commission to December 1. The bill, authored by State Representative Darisha Parker (D-Phila.), aims to ensure proper data collection regarding agricultural education in the state.
The Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence was established in 2017 with the mandate to develop state standards and annually report on the status of agricultural education in Pennsylvania. Currently, the deadline for this report is May 1. However, advocates have argued that an extension is necessary to allow for comprehensive data collection and analysis.
Representative Parker, who serves as a member of the House Agricultural & Rural Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of agriculture to Pennsylvania’s economy. “We are a global leader in agriculture and food production, producing more than $131 billion in total sales of products annually,” she noted.
The representative also stressed the educational value of agriculture, stating, “Agriculture brings learning to life, teaching students hands-on skills that they can utilize as a career or for entrepreneurship.” She argued that the extension of the reporting deadline is vital to ensuring that students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed in the dynamic field of agriculture.
Agriculture in Pennsylvania spans over 7.2 million acres, supplying fresh food to 52.3 million people in the northeastern part of the United States. This highlights the industry’s critical role in the state’s economy.
The legislation, known as House Bill 1540, amends the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for the Commission for Agricultural Education Excellence.
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