SACRAMENTO Calif. — Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and supporters from across the state of California returned to the Golden 1 Center for the sixth session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento, with the theme of “Launching Success.”
The 2023-24 State FFA Officer team recognized their parents and thanked the individuals who supported them throughout their lives and FFA career. Their parents were also bestowed with Honorary State FFA Degrees.
Proficiency Award finalists from Landscape Management to Wildlife Production & Management were also recognized on stage. Winners are listed at the end of this article. They will go on to compete at the 2024 National FFA Convention.
Members witnessed State FFA Vice President Sierra Short present her retiring address titled, “Look at the View, It’s All for You.” Short shared her journey of feeling accepted into her high school and credited FFA for helping give her a sense of belonging. She expressed the importance of being yourself because everyone’s life story looks different.
“Each and every one of us is different, but that’s what makes us who we are,” Short said. “You are good enough; you have value; you are important.”
Members of the Nominating Committee who have been deciding the slate for the 2024-25 State FFA Officer team gave their report and candidates were voted on by delegates of the six regions.
Members of FFA State Talent showcased and performed their skills for California FFA members. Finalists included Caiden Wallace of Porterville FFA, and Raymondo Alfaro and Oscar Tovar of Newman FFA. FFA members voted on each of the finalists and the 2024 FFA State Talent winner will be announced during tomorrow’s closing session.
The closing session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference will start at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 103,000 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.
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For media inquiries, please contact Adriana Toste at news@californiaffa.org or 209-535-5011. To learn more about California FFA, visit calaged.org.
Proficiency Winners: Landscape Management to Wildlife Production & Management:
- Landscape Management: Cody Patte, Modesto-Thomas Downey FFA
- Nursery Operations: Jacqueline Velazquez, Atwater FFA
- Outdoor Recreation: Trinity Jones, Galt FFA
- Poultry Production: Nathan Hutchinson, Madera-Liberty FFA
- Service Learning: Natalia Sanchez, Santa Maria -Pioneer Valley FFA
- Sheep Production: Lawson Secord, Apple Valley FFA
- Small Animal Production and Care: Nicole Basham, Kerman FFA
- Specialty Animal Production: Max London, Durham FFA
- Specialty Crop Production: Noah Stanisai, Temecula St. Jeanne FFA
- Swine Production Entrepreneurship: Tanner Kane, Riverside-Norte Vista FFA
- Swine Production Placement: Kyra Bridge, Nicolaus-East Nicolaus FFA
- Turf Grass Management: Pablo Vicente-Carillo, Watsonville FFA
- Vegetable Production: Noel Jacobson, McArthur-Fall River FFA
- Veterinary Medicine: Kaitlyn Kavanagh, Fullerton-Sunny Hills FFA
- Wildlife Management: Jackson Wood, Yreka FFA
