{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-helps-introduce-bipartisan-community-college-agricultural-education-bill", "HYDE-SMITH HELPS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION BILL", "2026-06-12", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "Senate", "MS", "Cindy Hyde-Smith", "H001079", "www.hydesmith.senate.gov", "hydesmith", "https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom", "scraper", "Legislation Would Fund Workforce Training, Education Programs at Community Colleges\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) this week helped introduce bipartisan legislation to expand agricultural workforce training and education programs at community and technical colleges across the nation.\n\nThe Community College Agriculture Advancement Act (S.4730) would amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to give community colleges greater access to federal grant funding to develop and expand educational programs focused on careers in the agricultural sector. U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) led the bill.\n\n\u201cCommunity colleges are often the front door to careers in agriculture, especially in rural states like Mississippi with an extensive community college system. This bill gives those institutions access to resources that are too often out of reach. We think this is a smart and practical investment that will strengthen our agricultural communities and help ensure the next generation is prepared to meet the needs of this vital industry,\u201d Hyde-Smith said.\n\n\u201cAmerica needs agriculture and students studying agriculture need hands-on experience,\u201d said Hickenlooper. \u201cCollege students everywhere should have access to agriculture business and training programs that better prepare them for their future careers.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunity colleges throughout Nebraska are essential to developing the ag workforce our producers depend on \u2013 yet they often lack the resources to expand programs, hire instructors, and maintain facilities. I'm proud to co-lead this bill to change that, ensuring community colleges thrive and the next generation of producers has opportunities to succeed,\u201d Fischer said.\n\nCommunity and technical colleges have historically received less federal support than four-year institutions, despite serving as a critical pipeline for Mississippi\u2019s agricultural workforce.\n\nSpecifically, the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act would:\n\nEstablish a competitive USDA grant program where the nation\u2019s nearly 1,100 community colleges would apply for money to fund workforce training, education, research, and outreach programs in agriculture.\n\nAuthorize $20 million for the grant program.\n\nGive priority to institutions that work directly with local agriculture operations to provide experiential training for students.\n\nInclude farm business management-related subjects such as finance and accounting as eligible activities for funding.\n\nThe Senate measure is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Husted (R-Ohio), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) authored a House companion bill (HR.5468).\n\nS.4730 is supported by the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement, the Association of Community College Trustees, and the American Association of Community Colleges.\n\n\u201cCommunity colleges play a vital role in building the skilled agricultural workforce our nation depends on. This legislation will expand access to high-quality training, strengthen partnerships with local industry, and equip students with the technology-driven skills needed to lead modern agriculture. It is a smart, bipartisan investment in our students, our rural communities, and our food systems,\u201d said Dr. Tracy Kruse, Executive Director, Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement.\n\nFrom Mississippi, the bill is supported by the Mississippi Community College Board, Hinds Community College, Jones College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and numerous other stakeholders.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-helps-introduce-bipartisan-community-college-agricultural-education-bill"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5002989675849676, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}