SAE Projects and Prop 12: Navigating New Requirements
By Matt Patton
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This article is a partial summary of Proposition 12. This article is meant to explain the aspects of Proposition 12 that most affect agricultural teachers when working with students and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. For full details on this topic, visit CDFA’s Animal Care Program.
Prop 12 History
Proposition 12 was passed by California Voters in 2018 and deals with animal confinement. This law requires producers who house animals in confinement adhere to minimum standards for movement, cage-free design, and minimum floor space. In addition, the law includes guidelines for calves, breeding pigs, and laying hens.
Supreme Court and Prop 12
Currently, the US Supreme Court has taken up the legality of Prop 12. Several groups representing the pork industry challenged the legality of Prop 12 as it relates to interstate commerce. The court has heard arguments and will submit a ruling by June 2023. But regardless of the outcome, California producers will be subject to the standards of Prop 12. Whether or not out-of-state producers follow the same regulations is up to the supreme court.
Notable Exceptions to Prop 12
There are several acceptable exceptions to the confinement requirements built into the law. The exceptions that are most applicable to ag teachers are listed below. The entire list of exceptions can be found in Article 4 Exceptions page 36.
Article 4 Exceptions Section 1324.1. Confinement Standards Exceptions
- During examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes.
- During transportation.
- During rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions.
- To a breeding pig during the five days prior to the breeding pig’s expected date of giving birth and any day that the breeding pig is nursing piglets.
- During temporary periods for animal husbandry purposes for no more than six hours in any 24 hours, and no more than 24 hours total in any 30 days.
Prop 12 Fairs and Expositions
Confinement of livestock at fairs and expositions is exempt from the space limitations outlined in Prop 12. The issue that fairs face is that of working with processing plants for hogs. Traditionally the processing plants in California have been supportive of working with fairs. Those plants work with the fair because they support 4-H and FFA programs and are willing to take on additional logistics and costs to accommodate. Prop 12 would take that accommodation to an entirely new level...
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This is your invitation to view the new CATA website! One feature of the new website is the Membership Portal. This feature will allow CATA members to find everything in one place. Within the portal you will be able to renew your membership dues, register for conferences, and more. You will easily be able to review your registration forms and all invoices.
To login, you will first need to set up your password. Once updated, you can login, using your username and new password. While you are logged in, please complete your profile (it is searchable to help people find you).
Very Important: If you get to the Member Login page and the system will not allow you to log in, please DO NOT create a new account. Call or email the CATA office and we will help you get set up.
We are trying to phase out receiving paper membership forms and conference registrations. All registrations will need to be completed on the website. You will have the option to “pay now” with a credit card or “pay offline” if you wish to send a check, purchase order, or have an invoice sent to you.
We realize this will be a transition and are here to help make it as smooth as possible, so please feel free to contact us at any time. If you have any questions, please email the CATA office at cata@calagteachers.org.
We’re excited about our new website and how it will help CATA members stay connected!
Note about CATA dues: The new MemberClicks system will not allow you to process your 2023-2024 dues until after July 1.
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Apply for Cal Delta Class of 2023
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California Delta is a year-long professional development experience designed to increase the competence and confidence of teacher-leaders. Delta participants will be challenged to explore perceptions of teaching and learning, as well as analyze their current instructional design. They will also explore leadership effectiveness, examine best practices, and adopt models and strategies to increase their professional impact.
You can find more information about this professional development opportunity at www.growaged.org. Applications are due April 1. If you are ready to up your teaching game, this conference is for you!
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Coming Soon: CATA Summer Conference
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Join us in San Luis Obispo for the annual California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) Summer Conference! The conference officially begins on Monday, June 26, 2023, with pre-conference activity beginning on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Conference registration MUST be submitted online.
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CATA Summer Conference Professional Sessions
CATA is looking for presenters and topic suggestions for the professional development sessions and AgriSkills workshops at CATA summer conference.
Contact Kerry Stockton if you’re interested in presenting a professional development session.
- Tuesday, June 27 - Professional Development Session (3:00 to 4:50)
- Wednesday, June 28 - Professional Development Session (1:30 to 3:30)
AgriSkills sessions are 4-hour, technical agriculture workshops with an emphasis on “learn by doing.” Apply online to present an Agriskills session.
- Sunday, June 25 - Agriskills (AM and PM)
- Thursday, June 29 - Agriskills (PM only)
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CATA Summer Conference Continuing Education Units
Registration for continuing education units (CEU) must be processed directly through Fresno Pacific on their website.
- Summer Conference 2 CEUs: $200 (To receive credit, you must sign in at both regional meetings, Tuesday AND Wednesday professional development sessions, and an Operations Division meeting or a Secondary/Postsecondary Division meeting.)
- AgriSkills Institute 1 CEU: $100 (To receive credit, you must register for the institute and attend three half-day sessions, or one full-day and one half-day session.)
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CATA Summer Conference Parking
Parking passes can be processed directly through Cal Poly’s website. The pre-event daily parking fee is $11.50, on-site permits (using campus pay stations) cost $15 per day. New policy on campus: exempt licensed vehicles do NOT need a parking pass.
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Six California Agricultural Teachers Named Finalists for Ag Educator of the Year
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To shed light on the contributions of California's leading agricultural teachers, the California Farm Bureau, California FFA Foundation, and Nationwide are honoring six exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.
Anyone is invited to nominate an agriculture teacher, and this year California received a record-breaking number of nominations. Out of the 852 nominees, six teachers were selected as finalists.
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California’s 2022-2023 Golden Owl Award finalists are (clockwise from upper left):
- Jason Ferreira – Hanford High School, San Joaquin Region
- Brian Kim – Sunny Hills High School, Southern Region
- Emily Brown – Corning Union High School, Superior Region
- Celeste Morino – Ripon High School, Central Region
- Beth Swehla – Anderson Valley High School, North Coast Region
- Lauren Peterson – King City High School, South Coast Region
Each finalist will be presented with a personalized plaque at the 95th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference in Ontario later this month. Finalists receive a $500 donation to support future educational efforts. One finalist will receive the distinction of being California’s Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to help boost their programs and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.
“California FFA is excited to partner with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau to honor outstanding agricultural educators and FFA Advisors,” said Charles Parker, State FFA Advisor for California Association, FFA. ”With a record number of teachers being nominated, the six teachers selected as regional winners and state finalists have demonstrated why they are deserving of this recognition. The agricultural education family is honored to have high quality educators who not only provide classroom instruction but also coach students in career and leadership development events and expose students to career opportunities through their participation in supervised experience programs.”
Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support their programs with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to the California FFA to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
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Corteva Agriscience Hosts Career Exploration Webinar
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Join members from the Corteva Agriscience team to discuss who Corteva is, how they impact the agriculture industry across the world, and the diversified career paths within the company. The live webinar will take place Friday, March 31 at 10:15 a.m. Featured speakers include representatives from different divisions, including commercial business, research and development, and seed production. The webinar is free, all you have to do is register! Teachers are invited to register and participate with their entire class.
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Become a ‘Master of Beef’ and Meet Bobby Irwin!
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The California Beef Council is sponsoring musician, Bobby Irwin, at the State FFA Leadership Conference, and they want to give your students the opportunity to meet him! The first 50 FFA members to complete the Beef Checkoff’s Masters of Beef Advocacy program, will be first in line to meet him in Ontario. The program is an online, self-guided course that gives those in the beef community the tools and resources they need to become beef advocates and answer tough questions about beef and raising cattle.
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Washington Leadership Conference
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For many FFA members, a summer highlight is attending Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in Washington, D.C.—the second-largest student experience hosted by the National FFA Organization each year. It draws thousands of students from across the country.
FFA members can attend one of seven week-long WLC sessions in June and July that include interactive workshops, seminars, and small-group sessions led by agriculture industry professionals, counselors, and FFA staff members. Participants also learn about the history of the nation’s capital, tour D.C. landmarks, and participate in congressional visits. Registration for WLC opened March 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm PST. For more information, visit the Washington Leadership Conference website.
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Interest-Free Youth Lending Program for Livestock Projects
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Golden State Farm Credit is offering a youth lending program that helps FFA members buy and care for their junior livestock projects. The program includes interest-free financing and educational information that helps students with project finances and budgeting. Livestock exhibitors who live in Butte, Fresno, Glenn, Kings, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, and Tulare counties are eligible. Restrictions apply to this program, applications should be submitted early to qualify for funding. For more information on the Youth Lending Program, contact Kris Costa at (800) 834-8698 or visit the website.
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Submit Your Request for FFA Jackets
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Thanks to another successful Giving Tuesday, the California FFA Foundation raised enough funds for every chapter in the state to receive two free FFA jackets. These jackets are to be given by the chapter to dedicated FFA members who cannot afford to purchase their own jackets. Every chapter in California is eligible to apply.
Complete the Jotform (one per chapter) and the FFA Foundation will submit your order to National FFA on your behalf. Be sure to have your chapter number, shipping address, jacket types and sizes, and scarf and tie preferences before you start the Jotform. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Casjens at hcasjens@californiaffa.org.
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National FFA News and Updates
Compiled by Jason Ferreira, Hanford High School Ag Teacher and National FFA Teacher Ambassador
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DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award
Honorary FFA Awards
The honorary awards application is now open. Consider submitting nominations for individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the FFA organization and/or agricultural education. Click here to submit your nominations. The deadline to submit nominations is June 15. As a reminder, guidelines for nominations and application directions are available on FFA.org.
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Thank You Corporate Members!
The California Ag Teachers Association appreciates the commitment of our corporate members who support agricultural education.
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