Skip to main content

Congressman Gonzalez Announces Nearly $150,000 for Agroecology Professional Development Institute at UTRGV

July 1, 2019

WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced a $149,985 grant awarded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for their Agroecology Professional Development Institute (APDI).

The grant will fund an experiential program that will give 75 science teachers the opportunity to participate in field trips to various local agriculture research and demonstration sites in the region. These funds will additionally give selected teachers the opportunity to interact closely with UTRGV College of Science Faculty to participate in ongoing food and agriculture research while serving as co-mentors for the High Scholar Students.

"The growing number of jobs in food, agriculture and natural resources sciences require a skilled and diverse workforce," said Congressman Gonzalez. "These funds are crucial for effective engagement for students and teachers in the agricultural sciences field."

"The growing number of jobs in food, agriculture and natural resources sciences require a skilled and diverse workforce," said Congressman Gonzalez. "These funds will give students and teachers in the Rio Grande Valley the ability to more effectively engage in fields that are integral to the development of our region."

"Community engagement is one of UTRGV's core priorities, and this grant will allow our university faculty to team up with local science teachers to work on food and agriculture research that could greatly benefit the Rio Grande Valley," said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. "I thank Congressman Gonzalez and everyone at UTRGV who assisted in obtaining this grant."

More information on the grant is available here.

Issues:Education