SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and supporters from across the state of California returned to the Golden 1 Center for the fourth session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento, with the session theme of “Dream and Achieve.”
Members listened to special remarks from the president of the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association, Dr. John Williams, and California FFA State Advisor, Charles Parker, who reminded members that FFA builds skills that are relevant to all career paths and pointed out influential political leaders, entertainers, and athletes who are also FFA alumni.
“You know that FFA is not only about production agriculture,” Parker said. “The FFA is about developing leaders that value agriculture and its’ importance to human existence.”
The first set of proficiency awards, from Agricultural Communications to Dairy Production Placement, were handed out in alphabetical order. These winners will compete at the national level in October. Winners are listed at the end of this article.
Past National FFA Southern Region Vice President Erik Robinson was a featured keynote speaker during this session. Robinson returned to the California State FFA Leadership Conference for a third year and spoke about the importance of interacting with boldness and audacity to overcome adversity.
“Hesitation comes in positive and negative forms, but one thing that is true is that hesitant is the reason an opportunity passes you by,” Robinson said. “We have to create our own opportunities.”
The California FFA State Agriscience Fair awards were handed out. The Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. The first-place winners of each division will move on to nationals in October. Results will be posted on www.calaged.org.
In addition, delegate committee reports were presented for the following areas: Awards, Membership Experience, Middle School Engagement, Standards of FFA Membership, Membership Representation, and Social Media and Fundraising Committee. Over 600 regional delegates convened to strategize these recommendations, which were adopted during this session and will go for further approval to ensure the continued progress of the Association.
State FFA Treasurer, Sydney Marich presented her retiring address titled “Be the Light.” Marich shared the light she felt this year serving in State FFA Office and reassured FFA members that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“The more we share our stories, the brighter the light at the end of the tunnel gets,” she said. “This family that is the blue jacket was a guiding light for me, and it can be for you too.”
The fifth session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference will be held at the Golden 1 Center this afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
