So do we really need another specialty license plate in Kentucky? The choice of causes you can support by registering your
vehicle in the commonwealth are endless, but we are going to throw in one more
for you to consider, the
#TeachKYAg Tag. Kentucky Agriculture and Environment
in the Classroom was recently approved to presell a plate with the goal of
establishing a long-term, financial support system for agriculture education
programs.
While the Farm Tag program already provides a means for
funding 4-H, FFA, and Kentucky Proud, the Teach Ky Ag Tag will be a registration
option for vehicles that do not qualify for Farm Tags. Assuming we make our
minimum number of reservations, and I know we will, every vehicle in your
household or business can finally support agriculture education.
Once the plates are manufactured and we receive the $10
donation from each license plate and renewal, the KyAEC board will dedicate
funds for agriculture literacy programs such as in-classroom curriculum, professional development and resources for teachers and volunteer educators, and educational events targeting
school-age children. We have also committed to provide grants to Kentucky FFA,
4-H, schools, and agritourism venues to carry out their programming aimed at
educating the non-farming community.
This is such an exciting time for our organization and the
number of students and teachers we are able to reach continues to grow. In the
past seven months, we have provided the Agriculture Adventures program to 11,000 students. We also recently purchased a third Mobile
Science Activity Trailer so the Kentucky Department of Agriculture can teach
agri-science activities to an additional 8,000 to 10,000 students each year. A
new agriculture resource website and literacy tools are in the works, which
should reach more than a 100 thousand students in the next two years. But
despite the wonderful support of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, our
agricultural organizations and businesses, our only limiting factor is funding.
So, yes, Kentucky needs one more specialty license plate to
teach the next generation of informed consumers. It is also our goal to
encourage more students to consider careers in agriculture. Teaching Kentucky
agriculture feeds our future in more ways than one.
We need to reserve 900 plates before the DMV will manufacture the plates. The fee is $25 and will be held until the 900 plate minimum is reached. Once the plates are ready, your county clerk's office will send you a postcard and $25 credit for your plate; an additional $19 will be collected at pick-up ($44 total). The renewal cost will be $31 annually (birth month). $10 from each purchase and renewal will be directed to KyAEC with your approval. Personalization requests may only be made at the county clerk's office after the minimum number of plates have been reserved.
If you are interested in reserving a plate, please visit https://www.teachkyag.org/license-plate.html. We also encourage you to take a look at our many other programs and get involved!
I also talked with Mike Feldhaus for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Across Kentucky radio program about the plates and how the funding will be used. Take a listen:
