California Ag Network

Tag: youth in agriculture

  • California FFA Foundation Supporters Recognized at 2025 National Convention

    California FFA is proud to celebrate a distinguished group of leaders, educators, and supporters recognized at the 2025 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. This year, 22 California FFA Honorary American FFA Degree recipients were awarded, along with one recipient of the VIP citation.

    The Honorary American FFA Degree is awarded to individuals who have provided exceptional service at the national level to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. Recipients include educators, industry partners, community leaders, and advocates who go above and beyond to support FFA members and agricultural education programs. Individuals honored with the VIP citation have dedicated 20 years of service to FFA and agricultural education on a national level.

    Of the 22 individuals recognized nationally, four were nominated by the California FFA Foundation for their continued support of its mission to secure resources and partnerships that create opportunities for students across the state. This year’s California FFA Foundation honorees include Jenny Nicolau and Rebecca Bailey of the Almond Board of California; Emily Rooney, California FFA Foundation Board Member and Ag Council of California President; and Toni Lindeleaf, past California FFA Foundation Board Member. Additionally, Charles Parker, who recently retired from his role as State Supervisor for Agricultural Education and State FFA Advisor, received National FFA’s VIP Citation.

    “California FFA is strengthened by leaders who believe in students and serve as advocates for agricultural education across our state,” said Matt Patton, executive director of the California FFA Foundation. “These Honorary American FFA Degree and VIP Citation recipients have helped create opportunity, mentorship, and hands-on learning for FFA members across our state, and we are pleased to see their efforts recognized at the national level.”

    In addition to this year’s Foundation honorees, California FFA is proud to acknowledge the remaining Honorary American FFA Degree recipients: Mike Albiani, Joe Buffington, Sara Carney, Amber Charter, Peggy Flynn, Amanda Galan, JessaLee Goehring, Wesley Hunt, Amy Jacobsen, Johan Jacobsen, Julie Luxon, Celeste Morino, Jenny Lynn Oilar-Svejda, Gregory Osmundson, Mayra Osmundson, Jon Sellenrick, Lisa Wright and Mark Wright.

    About California Association, FFA, and the California FFA Foundation: The California Association, FFA, serves more than 108,000 students, developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The California FFA Foundation supports these efforts by securing resources and partnerships that make these opportunities possible for students statewide. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

    Facebook: @CaliforniaFFA | LinkedIn: @California-FFA-Association | Instagram: @californiaffa | TikTok: @officialcaliforniaffa

  • California FFA Launches John Justin “Standard of the West” Scholarship Award with Justin Boots

    California FFA is excited to announce the launch of the John Justin “Standard of the West” Award, a new scholarship opportunity made possible through a partnership with Justin Boots.

    The “Standard of the West” Award is designed to celebrate FFA seniors who exemplify the spirit of agriculture by demonstrating integrity, honesty, perseverance, helpfulness, a strong work ethic, academic achievement, and consistent school attendance.

    Each year, one student from each of California FFA’s six regions will be selected as a state finalist. Finalists will receive a product-gift certificate, a plaque, and a $500 scholarship. Among these finalists, one state winner will be chosen and recognized on stage during the annual California FFA State Leadership Conference. The state winner will be awarded a product-gift certificate, a plaque, and a $2,500 scholarship. In addition, the advisor(s) of the state winner will be presented with a certificate for a pair of full-quill ostrich boots, courtesy of Justin Boots.

    Applications opened October 1 and are available to any California FFA senior who meets the organization’s scholarship requirements. Interested members are encouraged to apply through the California FFA scholarship portal.

    “We are proud to launch the John Justin ‘Standard of the West’ Scholarship Award in partnership with Justin Boots,” said Katie Otto, executive director of development at the California FFA Foundation. “This award honors FFA members who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Justin Boots supports FFA’s mission of cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders, and together we’re recognizing outstanding members who uphold these values.”

    For more information and to access the application, visit apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/CAFFA2026.

    About California Association, FFA, and the California FFA Foundation: The California Association, FFA, serves more than 108,000 students, developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The California FFA Foundation supports these efforts by securing resources and partnerships that make these opportunities possible for students statewide. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

    Facebook: @CaliforniaFFA | LinkedIn: @California-FFA-Association | Instagram: @californiaffa | TikTok: @officialcaliforniaffa

    About Justin: Justin is a brand of Western footwear, apparel, and accessories that was founded in 1879 by H.J. Justin. The company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and produces a variety of boots for both men and women, including cowboy boots, work boots, and casual shoes. Justin also offers a wide range of men’s, women’s and kids apparel and accessories, including cowboy hats, jeans, belts, handbags, and more. Justin is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and use of premium materials, and has a reputation for being a trusted brand in the western market. For more information, visit justinboots.com.

    Facebook: @JustinBoots | Twitter: @JustinBoots | Instagram: @JustinBoots_ | TikTok: @justin_boots

  • Golden State Farm Credit Awards Over $15,000 in Scholarships

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is proud to announce that it has awarded more than $15,000 in academic scholarships to outstanding high school seniors and college students pursuing degrees in agriculture. These scholarships reflect GSFC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of rural communities and supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

    Each year, GSFC recognizes and supports students who reside within its service area, including Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, or are children of GSFC customers. Recipients must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to agriculture and can receive awards ranging from $500 to $1,500 to support their education at two-year and four-year colleges.

    “Our scholarship recipients are the future of agriculture,” said Rob Faris, President and CEO of Golden State Farm Credit. “By supporting their education, we’re not only investing in individual students but also in the long-term sustainability of agriculture in California.”

    The scholarship program is one of many ways GSFC works to strengthen rural economies and encourage youth to pursue careers in the agricultural industry. In addition to academic scholarships, GSFC supports youth in agriculture by purchasing livestock at county fairs, offering a summer internship program, and providing interest-free youth loan opportunities for junior livestock exhibitors. These initiatives underscore the cooperative’s mission to develop future ag leaders and strengthen rural communities.

    Applications for the scholarship program open annually in January. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit GSFC’s website to apply for the 2026 cycle.v

    For a full list of 2025 scholarship recipients, see the following:

    About GSFC:

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is a lending institution of the Farm Credit System with offices in Northern and Central California that service the counties of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings and Tulare. The GSFC administrative office is located at 3013 Ceres Avenue, Chico, CA 95973. The Farm Credit System (System) is a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions that provides loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, agribusiness, agricultural and rural utility cooperatives, and Young, Beginning and Small Farmers nationwide. Congress established the System in 1916 to provide a reliable source of credit for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Today, the System provides more than one-third of the credit needed by those who live and work in rural America.

    For more information about Golden State Farm Credit, call (530) 895-8698 or visit us online at www.goldenstatefarmcredit.com.