California Ag Network

Tag: FFA Leadership Conference

  • California FFA Honors Grow West, Farm Bureau and the California Ag Teachers’ Association

    The California Association, FFA, recently awarded Grow West, the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF), and the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) with the Distinguished Service Citation at the 97th State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento.

    The Distinguished Service Citation honors organizations, agencies, businesses, or other groups that have made outstanding contributions to FFA and agricultural education. This year, the California FFA Executive Committee voted to recognize these three organizations for their unwavering support and dedication to California FFA and its members.

    Grow West, one of California’s largest independent ag retailers, was recognized for its remarkable 70-year partnership with California FFA. The company has been a key supporter of the California Agriculture Special Interest License Plate Program, which generates more than $200,000 annually to fund youth leadership and career development. Since 2015, Grow West has purchased over 300 agriculture-themed license plates for its company fleet—200 of which remain in active use today. Beyond this initiative, Grow West also invests locally through donations, livestock project purchases, and fundraising efforts.

    The California Farm Bureau Federation was honored for its consistent and wide-ranging support of FFA members across the state.

    The California Farm Bureau Federation was honored for its consistent and wide-ranging support of FFA members across the state. From funding FFA jackets provided to sectional and regional officers to contributing to the state awards program, CFBF helps ensure members are well-equipped for leadership and career success. Their impact is felt both statewide and at the local level, where they continue to champion FFA chapters and nurture the next generation of California agricultural leaders.

    The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) was recognized with the Distinguished Service Citation for its critical role in advancing agricultural education statewide.

    The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) was recognized with the Distinguished Service Citation for its critical role in advancing agricultural education statewide. Representing agriculture educators from middle school through university, CATA advocates for funding, resources, and program development that directly benefit students, teachers, and agricultural education programs. Their ongoing efforts ensure agricultural education remains strong and relevant across California.

    “The Distinguished Service Citation is one of the highest honors we can bestow, and this year’s recipients exemplify what it means to be true champions of agricultural education,” said Matt Patton, executive director of the California FFA Foundation. “Grow West, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association have each made a profound impact on California FFA and our members, and their commitment helps prepare today’s FFA members to drive the future of agriculture.”

    With more than 105,000 student members statewide, California FFA is committed to transforming the lives of young people by cultivating their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The steadfast support of Grow West, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and CATA helps ensure California FFA remains a consistent driving force for youth leadership and agricultural education.

    About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 105,000 students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

  • Proficiency Award Winners at 97th State FFA Leadership Conference

    California FFA is proud to recognize the winners of the Agricultural Proficiency Awards, announced during the 97th State FFA Leadership Conference held from April 3 to April 6 in Sacramento. These prestigious awards honor FFA members who have developed specialized skills through their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), which are integral to agricultural education and help prepare students for career success.

    The Supervised Agricultural Experience program, which has been a part of agricultural education since 1917, offers students an individualized application of the career and life skills taught in agricultural education courses beyond scheduled class time. Whether through student-led businesses, work-based learning, or research projects, SAEs give students hands-on experience that enhances their classroom learning and aligns with their individual interests in agriculture.

    Proficiency awards celebrate students who have applied their SAEs to real-world settings and even career pathways. The awards acknowledge excellence in diverse areas, including agricultural communications, wildlife management, and many other fields, all of which prepare students for success in agriculture and related industries.

    At this year’s annual State FFA Leadership Conference, 44 students were named winners of their respective award categories. This honor qualifies these students to compete in the national competition, where they will represent California and contend with other state association winners for national recognition.

    After an extensive interview and application process, four national finalists in each proficiency area will be honored on stage at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in October. The following is a full list of this year’s winners:

    Agricultural Communications: Saray Madriz Alcaraz, Madera FFA

    Agricultural Education: Kaycee Van Horn, Santa Maria FFA

    Agricultural Mechanics Design/Fabrication: Trevor Wright, Hollister-San Benito FFA

    Agricultural Mechanics Repair/Maintenance Entrepreneurship: Lucas Pulse, Atascadero FFA

    Agricultural Mechanics Repair/Maintenance Placement: Alden Hansard, Atwater FFA

    Agricultural Processing: Gavin Ames, Lakeside-El Capitan FFA

    Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship: Anabel Quintana, Lodi-Tokay FFA

    Agricultural Sales Placement: Brandon Flores, Gonzalez FFA

    Agricultural Services: Addison Bond, Palo Cedro-Foothill FFA

    Agriscience Research – Animal Systems: Ari Rutman, Gilroy FFA

    Agriscience Research – Integrated System: Riley Piehl, Santa Rosa FFA

    Agriscience Research – Plant Systems: Juliana Carroll, St. Helena FFA

    Beef Production Entrepreneurship: Peyton Wood, Yreka FFA

    Beef Production Placement: Hayley Byrd, Corning FFA

    Dairy Production Entrepreneurship: Mykell Mull, Chowchilla FFA

    Dairy Production Placement: Lauren Silveira, Chowchilla FFA

    Diversified Agricultural Production: Nicholas Bonomi, Sanger FFA

    Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship: Owen Baffunno, Los Banos FFA

    Diversified Crop Production Placement: Weston LaGrande, Arbuckle-Pierce FFA

    Diversified Horticulture: Sophia Sisil, Madera-Liberty FFA

    Diversified Livestock: Joseph Schnohr, Gridley FFA

    Environmental Science/Nat Resources: Jacob Zuniga, St Helena FFA

    Equine Science Entrepreneurship: Jacey Tweedy, Sanger FFA

    Equine Science Placement: Genevieve Atwell, Cottonwood-West Valley FFA

    Forage Production: Jack Majors, Visalia-Central Valley Christian FFA

    Forest Management/Products: David Guerra, Santa Maria-Pioneer Valley FFA

    Fruit and Nut Production: Rafael Rodriguez Gaytan, Riverdale FFA

    Goat Production: Mathew Machado, Madera FFA

    Grain Production Placement: Lane Dunbar, Nicolaus-East Nicolaus FFA

    Landscape Installation: Christopher Tornero, Madera FFA

    Nursery Operations: Chase Weiland, Wildomar-Elsinore FFA

    Outdoor Recreation: Nicolas Bump, Marysville FFA

    Poultry Production: Taleah Lusk, Altaville-Bret Hart FFA

    Service Learning: Andrea Guzman-Soto, Santa Maria-Pioneer Valley FFA

    Sheep Production: Elizabeth Wagster, Atascadero FFA

    Small Animal Production and Care: Dylan Cardey, Atwater FFA

    Specialty Animal Production: Madison Stayer, Palo Cedro-Foothill FFA

    Specialty Crop Production: Rebekah Villalobos, Atwater FFA

    Swine Production Entrepreneurship: Kallie Loogman, Hanford FFA

    Swine Production Placement: Grace Curry, Hughson FFA

    Turf Grass and Landscape Management: Jose Avalos, Galt FFA

    Vegetable Production: Charles Ferguson, Lemoore FFA

    Veterinary Medicine: Peyton Heermance, Altaville-Bret Hart FFA

    Wildlife Management: Mori Stidman, Visalia-VTEC FFA

    About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 105,000 students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

  • California FFA Elects 2025-2026 State FFA Officer Team

    Students from Oroville, Temecula, Kelseyville, Hanford, Minarets, and Bakersfield were elected by delegates at the 97th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference to serve as 2025-26 California State FFA Officers.

    • President: Lily Vaughan, Oroville-Las Plumas FFA
    • Vice President: Noah Stanisai, Temecula-St. Jeanne Catholic FFA
    • Secretary: Ryan Taylor, Kelseyville FFA
    • Treasurer: Daren Deftereos, Hanford FFA
    • Reporter: Tessa Camacho, O’neals Minarets FFA
    • Sentinel: Sophia Camou, Bakersfield-Garces Memorial FFA

    Each year, candidates vying for State FFA Office take part in an extensive online and in-person interview process with the State FFA Nominating Committee leading up to the election. The new team was announced during the closing session of the conference on Sunday, April 6 in Sacramento.

    After reviewing applications and conducting initial virtual interviews, the Nominating Committee selected 34 individuals to advance to in-person interviews in Sacramento. Candidates underwent several rounds of interviews with the State Nominating Committee before being slated and elected by the California Association, FFA delegation.

    California state officers take a gap year from their post-secondary plans to serve over 105,000 members of the California Association, FFA. Throughout their year of service, the officers will interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of middle and high school students, agricultural educators, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, local FFA leaders, and the general public.

    The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the state and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA in California and lead the next generation of leaders.

    To obtain additional information about the new state officer team, contact Charles Parker, State FFA Advisor and program manager for agricultural education for the California Department of Education, at cparker@cde.ca.gov.

    About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 105,000 students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.