Posted: 05.09.2011

Wisconsin agriculture educators are getting ready to gather in Green Bay this June for their annual meeting.  They won't be lacking topics for conversation.

In an interview with Pam Jahnke, State Representative, Mark Radcliffe of Black River Falls says he's concerned that the budget shortfall will leave Wisconsin lacking quality candidates for all the jobs that agriculture has for the state.  Radcliffe has submitted a request to Assembly Ag Chair, Lee Nerison of Westby, asking for an informational hearing on the issue. 

"We try to keep up to speed on the process,"  Radcliffe told Jahnke, "We've heard of between 30-40 school districts that are evaluating making cuts or curtailing their ag education programs.  We'd like to get a hearing in before the state budget gets into place and allow schools some options."

At the same time that ag education battles for position - Governor Scott Walker is one of two Republican governors are scheduled to speak at a Washington conference hosted by a nonprofit that pushes
for private school vouchers and charter schools.

Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Gov. Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania will address the American Federation for Children's second annual policy summit Monday.

Both are expected to talk about school choice. Walker has proposed expanding a school voucher program in Milwaukee. Corbett is proposing cutting $1.6 billion from public education while also
pushing for vouchers, which would allow students in poor-performing public schools to transfer to private schools.

Union leaders and other activists are planning a rally outside the summit, which will also feature former District of Columbia schools chancellor Michelle Rhee. Opponents say the federation is
trying to ``dismantle public education.''

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