SACRAMENTO Calif. — Members and supporters of the California Future Farmers of America (FFA) returned to the Golden 1 Center for the fifth session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento, with the theme of “Teaching for the Stars.”
During this session, supporters who have made an immense impact on the association were recognized with Honorary State Degrees, listed at the end of this article.
The 2023-2024 State FFA Officer Team recognized mentors who have made a significant impact in their lives and FFA journeys. In addition, Nicole Amaral with Teach Ag California gave special remarks, explaining the joy she finds in educating our youth about agriculture and encouraged FFA members to take the Teach Ag path.
Proficiency awards were handed out in alphabetical order from Dairy Production Placement to Grain Production, listed at the end of this article. The winners of these awards will go on to compete at the national level in October.
The audience was introduced to the 12 candidates who are vying for a spot on the 2024-2025 California State FFA Officer Team. The team will be voted on and elected into office at the closing session tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
In addition, the final two State FFA Talent performers were announced on stage. Caiden Wallace of Porterville FFA, and Raymondo Alfaro and Oscar Tovar of Newman FFA are competing for the champion title and will be announced at tomorrow’s session.
The session concluded with the retiring address of State FFA Secretary, Makena Stansai, who told the story of “meeting in the middle” when she decided to join FFA. Stansai, a Temecula native, had no prior agricultural experience but found value in all that FFA has to offer. “We are in this specific room in this specific area because of sacrifices,” Stansai said. “We sacrifice because we help other people; we are choosing to be a good person for
other people.”
The sixth session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference will be held at the Golden 1 Center this evening at 8:00 p.m.
Honorary State Degree Recipients
● Dennis Mann
● Trisha Chapman
● Maria Freitas
● Jill Damskey
● Julie Luxon
● Clay Freeman
Proficiency Winners: Diversified Agriculture Production to Outdoor Recreation
● Dairy Production Placement: Heather Hodges, Kerman FFA
● Diversified Agriculture Production: Nathaniel Bonomi. Sanger FFA
● Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship:
● Diversified Crop Production Placement: Oscar Loeza-Gonzalez, Merced-El Capitan
● Diversified Horticulture Placement: William Thompson, Madera FFA
● Diversified Livestock Production: Peyton Wood Yreka FFA
● Environmental Science & Natural Resource Management: Alyssa Ortega, El Centro-Southwest FFA
● Equine Science Entrepreneurship: Hayden Souza, Merced-Stone Christian FFA
● Equine Science Placement: Eva Scott, Sutter FFA
● Fiber/Oil Crop Production: Charles Ferguson, Lemoore FFA
● Forage Production: Cade Stafford, Sutter FFA
● Forest Management/Products: Peyton Brakel, Cottonwood-West Valley FFA
● Goat Production: Mykell Mull, Chowchilla FFA
● Grain Production: Conrad Burrow, Wheatland FFA
