SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is currently accepting proposals for the 2014 California Special Interest License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program.

This program makes available more than $225,000 in grant funding to promote agricultural education and leadership activities for students at the K-12, post-secondary, and adult education levels.

Proceeds generated through the sales of specialized, agriculture-themed license plates through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have made this opportunity available.

“Agricultural education represents a critical investment in the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This program gives Californians the opportunity to contribute to the legacy of California agriculture and invest in its future by enriching the lives of our youngest citizens.”

The CalAgPlate program has sold more than 17,000 special interest license plates.

This is the first opportunity for grant funding under the program.

Funding is available on a competitive basis for state-adopted Agricultural Education Programs (Education Code Section 52450-52454), government agencies and nonprofit organizations that administer agricultural education programs.

The application deadline is Nov. 21, 2014.

For further information and grant application materials, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/calagplate .

The CalAgPlate program is made possible through the hard work of many people and organizations that helped to promote the sale of this specialized license plate.

Special thanks are given to the Future Farmers of America (FFA), the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class XXXI), and to the many student volunteers who represent California agriculture.

Help to support agricultural education and the CalAgPlate program by purchasing a special interest license plate at your local DMV office or online today.