SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture has awarded $250,000 for six projects that enhance agricultural education and leadership opportunities for students, teachers and youth under the 2018 California Special Interest Plate grant program.

The grants support California’s statewide Future Farmers of America program, agricultural teaching facilities for Los Angeles County schools, a “Dirt to Dinner” educational program in Sacramento County, agricultural activity centers at local fairs, and statewide agricultural curriculum development for schoolchildren.

“In just five years, this successful program has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to support agricultural education and leadership opportunities connected to California agriculture,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

The CalAgPlate program is funded with proceeds generated through the sale of specialized, agriculture-themed license plates through the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Californians can support agricultural education and the CalAgPlate program by purchasing a special interest license plate from the DMV.

More information is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/calagplate/.