GO Ag Act Funds $5 Million for New High School Farm-to-Career Programs by 2028

The new Growing Opportunities in Agriculture Act (GO Ag Act) is setting aside $5 million through fiscal year 2028 to kickstart brand-new agricultural education programs in high schools across the country. Think of it as seed money for the next generation of farmers, food scientists, and ag tech specialists.

The $100K Startup Kit for Ag Education

This bill establishes a competitive grant program where groups—like colleges, local businesses, unions, or workforce boards—can apply to the Secretary for funding to create these new high school programs. The key word here is new. Applicants must prove the program isn't already running, and they can’t receive more than $100,000 for a single project. This money is meant to get the ball rolling, covering everything from developing the curriculum and buying necessary equipment (tractors, lab gear, etc.) to funding student leadership activities and setting up real-world work experience.

Crucially, the bill leans heavily on existing career and technical education (CTE) structures, specifically referencing the Carl D. Perkins Act for defining who can apply and how performance will be measured. This means the programs are designed to be career-focused and tied to local employment needs, requiring applicants to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment before even asking for the cash. For a parent, this means the agriculture class your kid takes isn't just about growing tomatoes; it’s about learning a trade that local employers actually need.

The Sustainability Check and Accountability

The GO Ag Act is serious about making sure this $5 million investment sticks around. Every entity applying for a grant must submit a detailed plan showing how they will cover program costs that exceed the grant amount and, more importantly, how they will keep the program running after the five-year grant period ends. No one wants a great program that folds the second the federal money dries up.

Accountability is also built into the system. Any group that gets funding must hire an independent third party to evaluate their program’s effectiveness. They also have to submit annual reports detailing how the money was spent and how students—especially those in special populations—are performing. This level of required reporting, while good for taxpayers and transparency, might be a heavy lift for smaller, less-resourced organizations that want to apply. It’s a classic trade-off: funding comes with serious homework.

Who Benefits and Where Does the Money Go?

The primary winners here are high school students who will gain access to specialized career training that could lead directly to a job or further education in the agricultural sector. The bill specifically focuses on helping students in “special populations,” ensuring that these new opportunities reach those who might need them most. Local businesses and the agricultural industry stand to benefit from a better-trained entry-level workforce.

However, the bill also gives the Secretary some wiggle room. Grant money can be used for “other costs the Secretary approves,” which is a common phrase in legislation that essentially hands over discretionary power. While most of the spending is clearly defined, this catch-all phrase means the agency running the program has the final say on what is an acceptable expense. Ultimately, the GO Ag Act is a targeted effort to boost high school CTE, focusing on measurable results and long-term viability, but only time will tell how competitive the $100,000 maximum grant will be in funding truly comprehensive programs.