National FFA selects officer, winners from Golden State

A Sacramento County student was among six student members selected to guide the National FFA Organization for the coming year.

Abigale Jacobsen, a former member of the Elk Grove FFA Chapter, was elected western region vice president of the youth leadership development organization, which has more than 1 million members.

The 2024-25 National FFA officer team was elected last month during the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. Students from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia and Wisconsin also were selected as officers from 37 candidates who were interviewed by a nominating committee.

Each year, FFA delegates elect a president, a secretary and four vice presidents to represent the country’s central, southern, eastern and western regions. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies to guide the future of FFA and the next generation of leaders.

The convention also recognized a number of California students in the agricultural proficiency awards and Agriscience Fair competitions.

Agricultural proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, or SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways. The following Californians earned FFA proficiency awards:

• Logan Wood in Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance, Placement Proficiency. Wood works as a mechanic for Sherwood Inc., a company that harvests nearly 10,000 acres of almonds and pistachios annually. He maintains the company’s equipment and diagnoses issues, as well as performs engine, hydraulic and electrical repairs. Wood has also shadowed his employer to learn more about the business responsibilities of billing, payroll, and customer and vendor relationships. He is a member of the Fresno-Central FFA Chapter. His FFA advisors are Taree Downs, Jessica Fahey, June Bettencourt and Chris Williams.

• Cade Stafford in Forage Production, Entrepreneurship/Placement. Stafford started his SAE managing the school farm’s hay crop under the supervision of his advisor. He then began farming forage crops on his own in 2021 to produce high-quality, nutritious forage for livestock that is produced cost effectively. In 2023, Stafford farmed 278 acres and sold 6,800 bales of hay. He is a member of the Sutter FFA Chapter. His FFA advisors are Jake Wheeler, Kate Wilson and Amanda Dowden.

• Nathan Hutchison in Poultry Production, Entrepreneurship/Placement. Hutchison has a 5-year-old poultry operation with broilers, turkeys, hens and chicks. He sells packaged poultry products and eggs to restaurants, local community members and customers across the state. Hutchison has earned a California egg handlers license, a California business license and processing exemption from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is a member of the Madera-Liberty FFA Chapter. His FFA advisors are Jewlia Winter, Katie Mellott, Keenan Quintana and Madison Galvez.

• Max Landon in Specialty Animal Production, Entrepreneurship/Placement. Landon’s SAE is working at his family’s apiary business. He has learned how to perform a full range of beekeeping production—from selecting breeder queens for their genetic qualities to independently managing a beehive. Landon is a member of the Durham FFA Chapter. His FFA advisors are Makenna Luce, Wes Bill and Chloe Bristow.

• Sophia Gomes in Agricultural Education, Entrepreneurship/Placement. Gomes has focused her SAE projects on building skills for her future as a middle school agriculture teacher. Through internships with the International Agri-Center and the University of California extension office, an ambassadorship on the California Milk Advisory Board and as a facilitator for California FFA Greenhand Leadership conferences, she has gained experience developing lessons, working with young students in classrooms, and delivering content through virtual and in-person presentations. She is a member of the Tulare FFA Chapter. Her FFA advisors are Patrick Mederos, Jared Castle, Samantha Day and Jonathan Woodard.

• Jeremy Eaton in Agricultural Services, Entrepreneurship/Placement. Eaton works for a company that offers agriculture-related services by providing custom forage crop harvesting, including cutting, raking, baling and hauling hay. He is responsible for operating a variety of equipment and interacting with hay producers. Eaton is a member of the Galt FFA Chapter. His FFA advisors are Carl Wright, Derek Silva, Jordan Albiani and Patrick MacDonald.

Agriscience Fair recognizes middle and high school students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources. Students compete in one of six categories and under one of the six divisions, either individually or in a team.

The winners from California are: Lexi Forman and Juliana Carroll of the St. Helena FFA Chapter for Plant Systems, Division 4; Ellie Carmichael and Jimena Reynaga-Castro of the St. Helena FFA Chapter for Environmental Services and Natural Resources, Division 4; Tessa Camacho of the O’Neals-Minarets FFA Chapter for Plant Systems, Division 5; and Ava Raugust and Rena Weinstein of the Lakeside-El Capitan FFA Chapter for Power, Structural and Technical Systems, Division 6.

In addition, Richard Gearhart of Atascadero in San Luis Obispo County was among 17 individuals honored with National FFA’s VIP Citation, which recognizes significant contributions to FFA and agricultural education.