Award Finalists & Winners

Award Finalists and Winners

With over 105,000 FFA members actively engaged in FFA and SAE activities, a tremendous number of deserving students apply for and receive awards and scholarships at the State FFA Leadership Conference each year. 

Check this page out as finalists are announced and award schedules are created!

Finalists Interviews & Profiles
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State Proficiency Finalists and winners

Congratulations to our 2025 State Proficiency 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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State SAE Star Award Finalists and Winners

Congratulations to our State STAR Award Winners

STAR IN AGRIBUSINESS

Adrian Sanchez, Madera FFA

 

STAR IN AGRISCIENCE

Salyn Meas, Lakeside-El Capitan FFA

 

STAR IN AGRICULTURE PLACEMENT

Alden Hansard, Atwater FFA

 

STAR FARMER

Peyton Wood, Yreka FFA

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State Scholarship Finalists and winners

Almond Board of California ($3,500) Allison Aguiar Winters FFA
Almond Board of California ($4,000) Kate Grizzle Holtville FFA
Almond Board of California ($2,500) Tessa Camacho O'Neals Minarets FFA
Almond Board of California ($1,500) Neveah Delgado Modesto-Grace Davis FFA
Almond Board of California ($5,000) Shellie Hance Sebastapol-Analy FFA
Almond Board of California ($4,000) Ryley Vanella Durham FFA
Almond Board of California ($2,500) Eva Scott Sutter FFA
Almond Board of California ($1,500) Chase Weiland Wildomar-Elsinore FFA
Almond Board of California ($1,500) Madelyn Rudnick Bakersfield-Christian FFA
Almond Board of California (1,500) Grant Downs Bakersfield-Frontier FFA
Almond Board of California ($1,500) Lillie Brander Atascadero FFA
Betty Bushong Memorial Jeanne Oosterman Ripon Christian FFA
Betty Bushong Memorial Andrea Guzman Soto

Santa Maria – Pioneer Valley FFA

Bob Heuvel Memorial Evelyn Calkins Carpintera FFA
Byron J. McMahon Memorial Joseph O'Neal, Galt-Liberty Ranch FFA
Dean McNeilly Daren Deftereos Hanford FFA
Dorothy & Richard McMillan Memorial Alexavier Carrillo Menifee – Heritage FFA
Frank Shaw Jr. Memorial Ramon Alcaraz Hanford FFA
Golden State Agriculture Foundation Noah Stanisai Temecula-St Jeanne Catholic FFA
Jaimie Lynne Pettey Memorial Adrian Figueroa Gilroy FFA
Jaimie Lynne Pettey Memorial Elizabeth Quintero Rubio Dinuba FFA
Jaimie Lynne Pettey Memorial Geneve York

Turlock Christian FFA

Jaimie Lynne Pettey Memorial Sourthern Addison Castro Brawley FFA
Jaimie Lynne Pettey Memorial Sourthern Kate Grizzle Holtville FFA
Jamie Lynn Pettey Memorial Southern Sophia Yoshida Wildomar-Elsinore FFA
Jaimie Lynne Pettey Memorial Sourthern Alexander Carrillo Menifee – Heritage FFA
Jerry L. Biggs Memorial Ester Verdugo Patterson FFA
Jerry T. Davis Memorial Siena Boscaro San Luis Obispo FFA
Mabel W. Jacks Memorial Andrew Chow Bakersfield– Highland FFA
Mabel W. Jacks Memorial Gianna Domenichelli Healdsburg FFA
Mabel W. Jacks Memorial Adrian Mendoza Lodi – Tokay FFA
Paul Freitas Memorial Peyton Wood Yreka FFA
Ron Schuler Memorial Brendy Puckett Modesto-Johansen FFA
Universal Technical Institute Jaime Zavala Greenfield FFA
Universal Technical Institute Alexander Rohr Menifee-Heritage FFA
Universal Technical Institute Randy Martinez

Santa Maria-Pioneer Valley FFA

Willey Family Horticulture Keelyn Walker Santa Rosa FFA
Zenith Owen Baffunno Los Banos FFA
Zenith Briana Munoz Lakeside – El Capitan FFA
Zenith Wyatt Thompson

Grass Valley – Bear River FFA

Zenith Sophia Yoshida Wildomar - Elsinore FFA
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State Distinguished Service Award Winners

California Farm Bureau, Sacramento

Grow West, Woodland

California Agricultural Teachers' Association, Galt

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State Honorary Degree Recipients 

Cindy Brown

Mrs. Brown is a Past CATA President, previous high school agriculture teacher for 40 years and is a current instructor at Porterville College. While teaching, she truly loved training her Poultry Judging teams. Her passion and love has benefited our association through her facilitation of the State FFA Poultry CDE Finals for the past eight years. Mrs. Brown was a no-nonsense teacher with a fun side as well, and continues to maintain that approach while being responsible for coordinating staff and transporting birds to the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo campus. Her diligence has allowed the poultry event to be a success while providing quality experiences for FFA members and their advisors. Mrs. Brown has brought her knowledge and wisdom to ensure that the California FFA Poultry event is conducted with rigor and relevance for those who share her passion for the poultry industry. Mrs. Brown has truly made a difference to the Agricultural Education Profession.

 

Jacob Odello

Mr. Odello serves as the chairperson of the Agriculture Education Advisory Committee, which is appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. As the Chair of the committee for the past three years, Mr. Odello led the development of the 2025-2030 Agriculture Education Strategic Plan. Additionally, he judges proficiency awards and scholarships, which directly affect students' success. When he is not working on behalf of California FFA, he is the Director for Food and Industrial Safety at the Nunes Company. California FFA is fortunate to have someone who has a passion for agriculture education and FFA members. Thank you for making a difference in Agriculture Education and for all of your efforts and vision for generations to come.

 

Dr. Benjamin Swan

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Agriculture Education and Communication Department Chairperson, Dr. Benjamin Swan has given 15 years of service to the California State FFA organization by working with his colleagues and providing oversight to the State FFA CDE Finals. Dr. Swan has overseen the logistics component of the State Finals, specifically working with and securing event advisors, student chairs. and industry sponsors. In addition, Dr. Swan has worked with the university leadership while dedicating his professional career to working for the success of our state association and his collegiate students as future agriculture teachers. We also appreciate and value his assistance with the CATA Conference for our California FFA Advisors. Dr. Swan, we don’t say thank you nearly enough.

 

Dr. Andrew Thullin

California Polytechnic State University, Retired Dean Andrew Thulin has given 25 years of service to the California State FFA organization in countless ways, but we recognize him for his commitment to ensuring that Cal Poly had the resources to assure they could host and facilitate the State CDE Finals Event on the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo campus. Dean Thulin has ensured that the facilities and staff have been made available to the California FFA at no cost and has worked closely with the university leadership to provide for regional and state CATA conferences. In addition, he was instrumental in securing the significant scholarships to our California State FFA officers who have chosen to be students in San Luis Obispo. Dean Thulin has ensured student success while providing and ensuring quality experiences for our California “blue and gold”. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Dr. Thulin in his retirement.

 

Dan Crookham

As an agriculture educator in Exeter for 34 years, Dan Crookham has become recognized as an Agriculture Mechanics expert and has used that knowledge to help new and veteran teachers in the field. His engaging approach attracts many outstanding students to become involved. Dan hosts CDE contests statewide, and he developed the Ag Mechanics Fair CDE contest that has grown in popularity. Additionally, he has helped grow the California Youth Ag Expo Agriculture Mechanics auction that has allowed talented Ag Mechanics students to benefit financially for their hard work. Mr. Crookham has truly made a difference.  

 

Michael Clifford

Michael Clifford is responsible for serving as the Dairy Cattle CATA representative at the California FFA State Finals on the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo campus for seven years.  Mr. Clifford looks forward each year to ensuring that the logistics for this event are conducted professionally and scored accurately. While a high school agriculture teacher, he loved teaching agriculture skills to his students for 30 years so that they could either use these skills for a profession or in their home lives. He always saw the potential in each student and encouraged them to do their best.  His dedication to the agricultural industry and commitment to the California FFA is admired by countless individuals. Mr. Clifford, thank you for serving on the California FFA Adult Board and the California FFA Advisory Board for twelve years. 

 

Dr. John Williams

Dr. John Williams has made significant contributions to California Agricultural Education. For the past five years, he has been a member of the California Agricultural Teachers Association (CATA) state officer team. During his tenure, he and his fellow CATA officers have worked to promote the well-being of those involved in agricultural education and ensure that the organization is sustainably supporting the more than 1,000 Ag teachers that are members of the greatest profession in the world. In addition to his role at CATA, Dr. Williams is a professor at Fresno State University. In this position, he has organized numerous state final contests in mechanized agriculture. Dr. Williams's years of servant leadership in agricultural education make him truly deserving of a California Honorary State FFA Degree.   

 

Kevin Woodard

Mr. Woodard has made significant contributions to the statewide effort in Agricultural Education in California. He served as a member of the California Agricultural Teachers Association (CATA) Executive Committee for five years, leading during the challenging COVID pandemic. Alongside his fellow committee members, Mr. Woodard worked diligently to ensure that all student opportunities remained accessible despite unprecedented circumstances. His time in office was marked by some of the most turbulent periods in the organization's history, which spans over 100 years. In addition to his year of service on the CATA Executive Committee, Kevin is the host coordinator for the Natural Resources Management State Finals Career Development Event held at Reedley College. This combined with serving on the FFA Adult Board is why he deserves Honorary membership.  

 

Diane Wong

 

Dr. Gregory Schwartz

An Agricultural Mechanics CDE advisor for eight years and professor at Cal Poly, Dr. Gregory Schwartz is a faculty member in the Agriculture Engineering Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Dr. Schwartz looks forward each year to ensuring that the logistics for this event are conducted professionally and scored accurately. He works closely with industry representatives for donations and assists the student chairs in organizing the event. Dr. Schwartz’s passion for this event is evident by calculating all the California FFA Field Day data to determine the top 24 teams to compete in the State Finals Ag Mechanics CDE.  His diligent work ethic has allowed several FFA members to advance their skills in the area of Agricultural Mechanics. With an economy in great need of people with these skills, we are fortunate to have his expertise leading us.  

 

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Agricultural education strives to maintain its status on the cutting-edge of rigorous classroom instruction, relevant skill acquisition and premier leadership development. Check out the expansive and evolving catalog of resources to generate new ideas, enhance curriculum delivery skills or identify new ways to engage in FFA and SAE activities.

Beginning in the early 20th century in California, agricultural education has a long tradition of preparing students for rigorous, satisfying careers both within and outside of the industry. As a school-based learning program, agricultural education operates as a unit within the California Department of Education and is written into the state’s legislative education code.

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Rich in history with an eye toward the future, California’s school-based agricultural education program seeks to prepare all students for satisfying careers in and outside of the agriculture industry. The multi-faceted approach to growing the whole person includes a focus on character and interpersonal skill development, technical acumen and critical thinking capabilities.

 

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From personal growth to career skill enhancement, the focus of California’s agricultural education events is always on the experiential development of the student. With activities ranging from local to national, the statewide organization offers a number of premier events each year that are suited to best meet the interests of an ever-diversifying student population.

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