ONTARIO, Calif. — Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and supporters from across the state of California returned to the Toyota Arena for the fourth session of the 95th State FFA Leadership Conference in Ontario, with the session theme being “Redefine Agriculture.”
The first set of proficiency awards, from Ag Communications to Dairy Production Placement, were handed out in alphabetical order. The winners are as follows:
- Agriculture Communications: Savannah Taylor, Righetti FFA
- Agricultural Education: Jaylynn Lamb, Linden FFA
- Agricultural Mechanics Design & Fabrication: Spencer Roby, Paso Robles FFA
- Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Entrepreneurship: Joshua Jorgensen, Atascadero FFA
- Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Placement: Brett Beck, Galt FFA
- Agriculture Processing: Garrett Gomes, Gustine FFA
- Agriculture Sales Entrepreneurship: Kyleigh Reynolds, Bakersfield-Frontier FFA
- Agriculture Sales Placement: Addi Mcfarlane, West Valley FFA
- Agriculture Services: Samuel Lamb, Bakersfield-Independence FFA
- Agriscience Research Animal Systems: Elise Thompson, Healdsburg FFA
- Agriscience Research Integrated Systems: Colin Manfredo, Sanger FFA
- Agriscience Research Plant Systems: Liam Joy, St. Helena FFA
- Beef Production Entrepreneurship: Kendall Geist, Madera Liberty FFA
- Beef Production Placement: Amanda Osmundson, Oakdale FFA
- Dairy Production Entrepreneurship: Logan Silveira, Chowchilla FFA
- Dairy Production Placement: Lucas Mello, Galt FFA
Long-time sponsor, Universal Technical Institute awarded members with $21,500 in scholarships as a result of their skills competition that took place at the Career Expo.
President of the California Agricultural Teacher’s Association, Kevin Woodard gave remarks on behalf of the association.
“As agricultural teachers, we are very fortunate to work with amazing individuals such as yourselves,” Woodard said.
The prestigious Golden Owl Award, given to the agricultural educator of the year, was presented to Jason Ferreira of Hanford FFA. The Golden Owl Award, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and the California Farm Bureau, received a record-breaking 852 nominations for 359 agricultural educators.
"We see the positive impact that the FFA program has had for many of our members, who have gone on to become leaders in Farm Bureau and in the agriculture community,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau President. “Our farm and ranch members work closely with local teachers and ag programs to support the next generation of agriculturalists. We were honored to raise almost $30,000 at our recent Annual Meeting to support FFA and buy blue jackets for incoming sectional and regional officer teams.”
The State FFA Officer Team had the opportunity to recognize their advisors and mentors who have helped them reach this point in their FFA careers.
The second keynote speaker of the conference, Markie Hageman Jones, shared her journey of being a fashion-mechanizing major turned cattle producer and agricultural advocate, despite having no previous agricultural experience. Hageman Jones encouraged members who may not fit the stereotypical mold, to overcome their fears of not being capable, and embrace the journey of advocating for agriculture.
“We all have a responsibility to give people who want to fight for our industry the opportunity to do just that,” Hageman Jones said. “Together, we can redefine agriculture. An agricultural leader is not defined by the amount of acres they farm. An agricultural leader is defined by the people they inspire.”
In addition, delegate committee reports were presented for the following areas: Awards, Membership Experience, Middle School Engagement, Standards of FFA Membership, and Membership Representation. Over 600 regional delegates convened to strategize these recommendations and they were adopted during this session and will go for further approval to ensure the continued progress of the Association.
The final 12 state FFA officer candidates were announced and will be slated for positions at the final session on Sunday morning. The candidates are Austin Bell, Gustine; Case De Jong, Turlock Christian; Garret Gomes, Gustine; Savannah Grove, La Habra-Sonora; Piper Lakey, McArthur-Fall River; Omar Lopez, Madera; Amethyst Lumley, Merced-Golden Valley; Laurel Machoian, Clovis; Sydney Marich, Chino-Don Lugo; Thomas Rosa, Visalia-El Diamante; Sierra Short, Salinas-Rancho San Juan; and Makena Stanisai, Temecula-Saint Jeanne.
Brian Kavanagh presented his retiring address, We > Me, and shared his experience of serving as the State FFA Treasurer for the past year. Kavanagh inspired members to find and create new ways to benefit those around us.
“Investment looks and feels different for everyone,” Kavanagh said. “Without the people behind us, without the people who continually choose to invest in us, none of us would be here.”
The fifth session of the 95th State FFA Leadership Conference will be held at the Toyota Arena this afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
