KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
May 8, 2019
By Addie Davis
Congressman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX) met with FFA students and Katy ISD staff at Katy ISD’s Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center on Monday May 6, 2019.
Photo Courtesy of Congressman Michael McCaul
While visiting the center, McCaul hosted a round table with students and staff and discussed the Student Agriculture Protection Act. This legislation would create a tax exemption for the first $5,000 in proceeds on the sale of agricultural projects by students. McCaul hopes it will encourage young farmers to pursue a career in the agriculture industry.
“This common-sense solution removes unnecessary barriers and incentivizes student farmers to join the legacy of patriotic Texas farmers,” says McCaul.
If the bill is passed, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) students would be able to save more of their income and put it towards higher education or future agricultural projects.
This was the first time that McCaul met with students and staff in the brand-new Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center. The $34 million facility sits on 130 acres of land on Katy Hockley Cut Off Road. This spring, the center hosted the 76th Annual Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Katy Rodeo.
“The new Agriculture Sciences Center on Katy ISD’s campus is an incredible facility that will benefit FFA students, will host the annual FFA student livestock show, and will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students of all grade levels,” says McCaul.
The facility was developed to meet the growing demands of Katy ISD’s growing student population as well as to further develop agricultural education in Katy ISD.
Congressman McCaul represents a portion of the Katy area and is the lead republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman Emeritus on the House Homeland Security Committee. Learn more about the Student Agriculture Protection Act here.