By Joe Aguiar, Winters FFA Alumnus
I graduated from Winters High School in 2022. Looking back, I can see how FFA was an integral part of my high school experience. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this experience in the blue jacket set the course for much of my life. It’s supported me throughout college, given me a network I couldn’t find anywhere else, and continues to be the foundation for my skills and abilities as I take on professional experiences like my current internship.
During my time in FFA, I served as a chapter officer for multiple years and even had the opportunity to serve as a sectional officer for the Yolo Section. These opportunities allowed me to develop crucial communication, critical thinking, planning, and other important interpersonal skills that separate FFA kids from the rest of the pack. FFA was a core part of my high school experience, and I would argue that it should be for anyone whose high school is lucky enough to have an FFA chapter. These chapters, their advisors, and the experiences provided cannot be matched by anything else.
Currently, I’m a rising senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where agriculture has remained a core aspect of my education. I’m pursuing my bachelor’s in Agricultural Communications with minors in Agribusiness and Water Policy as part of Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). Growing up on an almond and walnut farm taught me the value of production agriculture. FFA helped me discover the many other paths I could take to support the ag industry. I was introduced to various fields like metalworking, woodworking, plant biology, leadership, and public speaking, which is where I eventually found my passion. That path ultimately led me to agricultural communications and the opportunities I’ve had at Cal Poly and beyond.
At Cal Poly, I’ve been a part of fantastic learn-by-doing opportunities that have kept me connected to agriculture. Whether it’s labs out in our greenhouses or animal facilities, hosting a livestream of California FFA’s yearly leadership conference in Sacramento, or serving as an advocate for agriculture as the Vice President for CAFES Ambassadors this past year, these experiences have all built on the foundation FFA gave me. This upcoming school year, I’ll have the opportunity to serve as Secretary of Civic Engagement on the student body president’s (who’s also an FFA alum) executive cabinet.
This summer, I’m interning with Cornerstone Government Affairs in Washington, D.C. as a policy intern. Cornerstone is an advocacy and consulting group with a practice area in agriculture. They advocate to lawmakers and regulatory bodies like the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of agricultural clients from across the United States. As a policy intern, the core skills and abilities I gained while in FFA are still very applicable to the work I’m doing. Success in this role requires me to problem-solve, take initiative, think critically, and stay organized.
As different as this internship and setting may seem from FFA, I continue to rely on the core public speaking and interpersonal skills I learned all those years ago. As I continue to work through this new part of my life and my career, I know I’ll always carry with me the network, skills, and passion that FFA gave me. Whether it was in a field, classroom, or professional setting like an internship, these are core skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Author Bio
Joe Aguiar, an FFA alumnus, stays actively engaged in agricultural education and youth leadership. He’s pursuing a degree in Agricultural Communications with minors in Agribusiness and Water Policy at Cal Poly, where he continues to grow his leadership and communication skills. In his free time, he enjoys running, basketball, and spending time with loved ones.
