Student Leadership
Elected annually by delegates from each FFA chapter in California, the State FFA Officer team’s purpose is to inspire and lead their peers, shepherding the FFA component of the program. With the needs of over 97,000 of their fellow members at heart, the team sets intentions and creates programming with the desire to move the association forward and serve the needs of their peers as well as the agriculture industry.
Officers delay college for a year in order to serve their term, basing their operations out of the California FFA Center in Galt.
The State President, Abigale Jacobsen, is the fifth state officer from Elk Grove High School. The former chapter, sectional, and regional officer has competed in a multitude of CDE and LDE events including Best Informed Greenhand, Livestock Judging, Creed, Extemporaneous, and Prepared. Her passion for agriculture stems from her love of animal science as exemplified in her market lamb, breeding cattle, agriscience, and dressage horse SAE projects. Abigale’s advisors are Mike Albiani, Courtney Wright, Amy Erman, Colleen Lawson, Shannon Welch, Wesley Messer, Samantha Penner, and Sierra Meyers.
Email Address: ajacobsen@californiaffa.org
Landon Hendricks, a graduate of the Menifee-Heritage FFA Chapter has been elected State Vice President. Landon is the first state officer coming from his chapter that he served at as the Chapter Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President as well as the Section Secretary and Vice President. Between BIG, Livestock, and Parliamentary Procedure this baseball player on the side raised both swine and lambs throughout high school. The support of his advisors Mr. Perotti, Ms. Maratsos, Mr. Daly, Mrs. Rushing, and Mr. Maddalena have grown his passion for Agriculture Education.
Email Address: lhendricks@californiaffa.org
Hunter Haslem, a graduate of Durham High School, was elected State Secretary. The second state officer from Durham FFA had previously served as her chapter’s Vice President, Superior Region President, and a State Finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking and Parliamentary Procedure. Her activities range from being a fourth-generation sheep rancher, exhibiting lambs and dairy heifers, along with being an active member of her school’s Swim, Track & Field, and Trap Teams. Ironically enough, Hunter spends her free time hunting big game animals with her family. Providing multitudes of memorable moments, FFA advisors Makenna Luce and Lyman Hagen have been an integral part of Hunter’s FFA journey.
Email Address: hhaslem@californiaffa.org
Brian Kavanagh, who also goes by Tommy, is the 1st State Officer from Temecula -St. Jeanne Catholic FFA. His most memorable FFA trip was when he competed in Parliamentary Procedure at the UC Davis Field Day. Finding new ways to innovate urban ag, increasing AG literacy, and running cross country keep Brian’s passions fueled. As a member who doesn’t come from an Agriculture background, Brian embraces agriculture by competing in Farm Power, making seasonal Christmas wreaths, and producing handmade jams. Although, none of this would be possible without his advisor, Ms. Marlisa Nordstrom.
Email Address: bkavanagh@californiaffa.org
Melanie Orozco, a Holtville FFA member, was elected as the California FFA State Reporter. Making her the 7th member from her chapter to become a State Officer. Serving as Holtville FFA’s president, secretary, sentinel, the Imperial Section President, and the Southern Region Vice President, additionally competing in Vegetable Crop Judging, and several LDE competitions including: Creed, Prepared, Parliamentary Procedure, and Extemporaneous Speaking. Melanie runs and manages several SAE projects including Market Feeder Calves, Market Rabbits, Market Poultry, and goat breeding while balancing FFA with her hobby of cheerleading through high school. Her favorite memories are fair time with her advisors Lindsay Cox, and Jennifer Sutter who teaches her favorite class, ag leadership.
Email Address: morozco@californiaffa.org
Morgan Oliveira, a student at Hilmar High School was elected as State Sentinel. Being the third state officer from Hilmar FFA, Morgan has previously served as the Hilmar FFA Chapter Historian for a year, Chapter President for two years, and as the Central Region South Vice President. Morgan has been a part of numerous competitive events and teams, that of project competition, dairy cattle judging and job interview to be her favorites. Being a third-generation dairy farmer, her SAE project of dairy cattle production consists of raising and showing dairy cattle, a hobby she is also passionate about outside of the FFA organization. Along with fluently speaking the Portuguese language, hobbies of movie marathoning and reading books rank among the top few. Her FFA advisors are Monique Reid, Dick Piersma, Christie Hobby, Trey Johnston, Dave Segna, and Marc Coleman.
Email Address: moliveira@californiaffa.org
