FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2003
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
Back

House Ag Committee Passes Waugh's Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Bill

HARRISBURG – Today the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee unanimously supported Sen. Mike Waugh’s Senate Bill 673, which expands the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Act of 1992 to include loan forgiveness for teachers of agricultural education.

"Teachers are a vital resource for those who are interested in an agricultural career," Sen. Waugh said.

"With agriculture being the state’s top industry, an ever-changing and technologically advancing industry, we need to ensure that Pennsylvania has the best teachers to train the agriculture producers of tomorrow.

The current Act provides for loan forgiveness in the amount of up to $2000 per year, a maximum award of $10,000, for agriculture and veterinary medicine graduates who return to the farm or practice large animal veterinary medicine in Pennsylvania.

Waugh’s bill would continue to provide the same amount of loan forgiveness to all applicants, including the agricultural education teachers.

To be eligible for loan forgiveness, a teacher of agricultural education must:

• hold a current Agriculture Certificate, as defined by the Department of Education,
• be engaged in the first year of full-time employment teaching an agricultural curriculum at a public or private school (grades K-12), and
• have borrowed through the PHEAA-administered Guaranteed Student Loan Program for an institution of higher education within the Commonwealth.

For the fiscal year 2003-2004, $210,000 was appropriated to this program. If funds appropriated are not sufficient to provide grants to all eligible applicants, grants shall be made on a pro rata basis.

However, in his remarks to the Committee this morning, Waugh pointed out the significant need for more agricultural education teachers.

"Of the 501 school districts, only 174 of them have Ag Ed programs. And approximately, only 17 individuals graduate each year with a degree in Ag Ed, but unfortunately, many of these individuals choose more lucrative careers after graduation," said Waugh.

Among the supporters of SB673 are the Pennsylvania State Grange, PennAg Industries Association, The Pennsylvania State University, Delaware Valley College, the Horticulture Trade Alliance, and the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators.

SB 673 received unanimous support from the Senate in June. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.