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Funding for ag education on the chopping block in Illinois

Funding for agricultural education is up in the air thanks to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget.

Funding for agricultural education is up in the air thanks to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget.

At Orion High School, nearly a third of the students take at least one agriculture class.

"We get to do hands-on experiments, we get to get dirty, as I call it, get into it, not just sit in the class and listen," said sophomore Kaitlyn Seabloon.

On Friday, May 8, 2015, the school hosted its annual plant sale. Plants, grown by students in the greenhouse management and floral design classes, are sold to buy seeds and supplies for the greenhouse programs.

"I’ve learned a lot more about plants than I thought I would. I’ve learned about fertilizer applications and about transplanting, and about how a specific plant grows in a specific environment," said senior Tori McCaw.

Funding for those programs, though, could be on the chopping block. Last year, the state chipped in $1.8 million for agricultural education. The Illinois State Board of Education recommended increasing that amount to $3 million, but Gov. Rauner's proposed budget cuts the funding altogether.

"We definitely don't want to see the ag ed line item eliminated," said agriculture teacher Jay Solomonson. "I think ag education is very important. It's very hands-on, and that's what a lot of our students need."

Solomonson says students learn business management skills, in addition to raising plants and animals. Many of them, like McCaw and Seabloon, hope to turn those lessons into careers.

"Cutting funding for agriculture would be a very bad idea," said McCaw.

Lawmakers will tackle the issue as they work to finalize a budget by the end of May.

The Orion plant sale continues Saturday, May 8, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school.

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