California FFA Announces Proficiency Award Winners at the 97th State FFA Leadership Conference

Beef Production Entrepreneurship: Peyton Wood, Yreka FFAGALT, Calif. — 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. Please see the list below for 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

 

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