By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois agricultural educators met in Springfield recently for a symposium, at which the group issued a call to lawmakers for additional funding, and a trip to the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum.

Additional funding is needed, the group said, to enhance the state’s agricultural education curriculum and expand secondary teacher training.

“Agriculture is the most diverse and constantly evolving industry in the United States,” said Jay Runner, state coordinator for FCAE (Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education).

“The agricultural education field has jobs to fill. Since 1992, the number of available positions for agriculture teachers has exceeded the number of college graduates. Continued support is needed to fill positions with qualified teachers.”

In recent years, ag education funding has provided updated curriculum, classroom materials, and new urban programs that meet growing demand for overall agricultural literacy programs in the state. The educators want to see an increase in the Illinois State Board of Education line item for FY08 to further build secondary ag education curriculum and focus on expanding teacher education, according to an FCAE press release.

The additional funding would be channeled into educator professional development, teacher quality indicators, recruitment, and more. Much has changed in agriculture that requires more professionals in ag science and technology careers, which requires more teachers, the group stated.

“As Illinois’ largest employer, 20 percent of the workforce is employed in the agriculture industry,” Runner said. “The industry benefits as more Illinois students receive access to agricultural education opportunities. Student enrollment has more than doubled over the past decade, and three-quarters of agriculture’s graduating seniors enter postsecondary education, but we need more qualified teachers to continue to advance.”

While touring the Lincoln museum, Runner was philosophical about the slain president’s wisdom regarding agriculture-related issues.

“The significance of Mr. Lincoln’s foresight when creating the first U.S. Department of Agriculture and being an avid supporter of agricultural education is that he understood that though the practices of agriculture would change over time, our need for the industry would always be key to our nation’s success,” Runner stated.

The statewide agricultural education team includes the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education, the Governor-appointed Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education, the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois FFA and its associated groups, Illinois Assoc. of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Illinois Assoc. Community College Agriculture Instructors, University Council, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom and FCAE. The team works to create a successful social, economic and environmental future with K-adult education programs in support of Illinois agriculture.