Harder Announces Over $250,000 Grant to Help Stanislaus State Support Ag Studies among Hispanic Students

WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) today announced a $274,000 federal investment to support students pursuing careers in agriculture at Stanislaus State. The funding, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), promotes and supports recruitment into agricultural studies and agricultural science education. The program will boost enrollment of Hispanic students in Stan State's agriculture program by offering a summer education camp, paid internships in the agriculture space, and other hands-on learning opportunities.

"Investing in our students benefits everyone in the Central Valley – and that's especially true when those investments help strengthen our ag community," said Rep. Harder, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture. "These dollars will help to get local students involved in local ag by giving them real, hands-on opportunities starting in high school and throughout their time at Stan State."

"This grant will help us boost Hispanic student enrollment in Stan State's Agriculture program," said Jim Tuedio, Dean, Stan State's College of the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. "Funding from the grant will support targeted recruitment and experiential learning activities. In addition to funding an annual Summer Ag Camp, the grant will support paid internships and scholarships for high-achieving underrepresented students, a high impact recruitment drive, and an academic support system to assist students in developing critical thinking, scientific inquiry and leadership skills.

This funding is made available through the USDA's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Grants Program, which supports colleges and universities that have at least 25 percent Hispanic student enrollment.

Earlier this year, Rep. Harder secured $275,000 to support student parents pursuing degrees at Stan State.