Vo-tech opened doors for me; let’s open doors for more Arkansans with Issue 1

I’m a fourth-generation farmer here in Arkansas, producing poultry and growing hay to help feed our state and our nation. I’m also proud to serve as the president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, working to improve life for our 190,000 member families across the state.

Before I was a farmer, I was a student at the former Rich Mountain Vo-Tech, where I learned the skills I needed to become a diesel mechanic. That training opened doors for me, and I believe it can open doors for countless young Arkansans. That’s why I’m urging you to join me and vote YES on Issue 1 this November.

Issue 1 is about investing in our future by expanding access to vocational and technical training. Right now, scholarships funded from proceeds of the Arkansas lottery can only be used at traditional two- and four-year colleges and universities. Issue 1 will allow those dollars to support students who choose to pursue valuable trades at technical schools and institutes.

We have a critical shortage of skilled workers in Arkansas. We need more electricians, welders, mechanics, plumbers, HVAC technicians – the list goes on. These are good-paying jobs that are vital to our economy, especially in our rural communities. And these shortages directly impact our farmers and ranchers who rely on these skilled professionals.

Issue 1 will help fill those gaps by providing much-needed financial support for students who want to pursue these careers. It doesn’t matter if the student is a recent high school graduate or an adult looking to learn new skills, Issue 1 will open doors to opportunity.

It’s necessary to change the constitution for this because the current language limits lottery funds to traditional colleges. We need Issue 1 to ensure all students have the opportunity to benefit from this valuable resource, regardless of their chosen path. In fact, back in 2008, Arkansas voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 87, which allowed the state to establish a lottery to fund scholarships. Issue 1 simply expands the types of schools eligible for those scholarship funds.

Right now, the lottery raises millions of dollars every year to support college students through programs like the Arkansas Academic Challenge and the Workforce Challenge. Imagine how many more young people we could help if those funds were also available to students attending technical schools. We believe supporting Issue 1 gives an opportunity to graduate more electricians to keep our lights on, more welders to build our bridges, and more mechanics to keep our trucks rolling.

As a former vo-tech student, a farmer, and the president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of skilled trades to our state. The vo-tech training I received as a young man gave me the skills I needed to succeed, and I know it can do the same for others. Issue 1 is about more than just scholarships; it’s about opportunity. It’s about giving all Arkansans a fair shot at a good-paying job and a brighter future.

Join me, and the Arkansas Farm Bureau, in voting YES on Issue 1 this November. Let’s invest in our kids, our economy and our future.

Editor’s note: Dan Wright serves as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, the largest agriculture advocacy organization in the state. He raises poultry and hay outside of Waldron in Scott County. The opinions expressed are those of the author.