ONTARIO Calif. — Members and supporters of the California Future Farmers of America (FFA) returned to the Toyota Arena for the fifth session of the 95th State FFA Leadership Conference in Ontario, with the theme of “Redefine Education.”
The following proficiency awards were handed out in alphabetical order from Diversified Agriculture Production to Outdoor Recreation:
- Diversified Agriculture Production: Anthony Alves, Hamilton City FFA
- Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship: Olivia Bruns, Woodland FFA
- Diversified Crop Production Placement: Nicolas Lemstra, Visalia Central Valley Christian FFA
- Diversified Horticulture Placement: Alexsis Delgadillo, Madera FFA
- Diversified Livestock Production: Kamille Dean, Merced Golden Valley FFA
- Environmental Science & Natural Resource Management: Jonathon Spraggins, Madera FFA
- Equine Science Entrepreneurship: Sydney Sisil, Madera Liberty FFA
- Equine Science Placement: Morelia Vieyra, Madera FFA
- Fiber/Oil Crop Production: Jacob Dutra, Hanford FFA
- Forage Production: Wyatt Westra, Central Valley Christian FFA
- Forest Management/Products: Luke Ostly, Bakersfield Christian FFA
- Fruit Production: Ethan Slate, Atwater FFA
- Goat Production: Abby Bianchi, Hollister FFA
- Landscape Management: Austin Underwood, Hollister FFA
- Nursery Operations: Emma Woods, Gustine FFA
- Outdoor Recreation: Brandon James, Fallbrook FFA
Supporters who have made an immense impact on the association were recognized with their Honorary State Degrees, listed below:
- Teri Bontrager, Executive Director, Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau, Santa Maria
- Ken Dias, Retired Agriculture Teacher, Clovis
- JessaLee Goehring, Region Supervisor, North Coast Region, Acampo
- Erin Gorter, Teacher Educator, Cal Poly, Templeton
- Brian Hanna, Sr., Advocate, Posthumous
- Jackie Ioimo-Jones, Region Supervisor, Southern Region, San Clemente
- Chris Waldron, Plantel Nurseries, Santa Maria
- Shay Williams-Hopper, Region Supervisor, San Joaquin Region, Ivanhoe
The annual State Star Awards were handed out, and the winners are as follows:
- State Star in Agriscience: Brennan Elszy, Hanford FFA
- State Star in Agribusiness: Alexsis Delgadillo, Madera FFA
- State Star in Agriculture Placement: Arturo Madriz, Madera FFA
- State Star Farmer: Cade Stafford, Sutter FFA
The session concluded with the retiring address of State FFA Secretary, Hunter Haslem. Haslem recalled her experience in the organization, starting with Durham FFA and the Superior Region before becoming a State FFA Officer. Haslem encouraged members to “show up” for others, just as so many did for her while serving in the blue jacket.
“At the end of the day, the work you do in this jacket doesn’t stop here,” Haslem said. “You can leave an impact that lasts a lifetime.”
The sixth session of the 95th State FFA Leadership Conference will be held at the Toyota Arena this evening at 8:00 p.m.
About California FFA: The California Association FFA is part of a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 FFA members in 8,995 local FFA chapters across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
