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FFA State Officer Tim Truax �� 4

New digs for Ceres swine �� 6

Ag center summer jobs �� 8

Hilmar's FFA heritage �� 10

Q & A with Denair's Kenneth Carder �� 12

Turlock FFA returns to Nationals �� 14

Chatom 4-H tradition �� 15

FFA • Spring 2015 3

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C O N T E N T SThe Future of Ag

BY ALYSSON AREDASTurlock Journal

When Tim Truax initially joined FFA during his first year at Pitman High School, it was only for two reasons: to ex-hibit lamb at the fair and to find a place on the livestock judging team.

However once he experienced his first taste of success during the organization’s Creed Speaking Career Development Event, Truax found himself invested in FFA in more ways than one—or more specifically, two.

“I competed in various speaking con-tests, including winning a state title in Im-promptu Speaking during my sophomore year, and held many different leadership positions,” said Truax.

Now five years later, Truax is set to move to the California FFA center in Galt, where he will spend the next year as State FFA Sentinel on the 2015-2016 California FFA State Officer Team.

“Becoming a state officer—although it brings with it much pride and impor-tance—is an extremely humble position to be elected to,” said Truax. “I was both

honored and surprised to have be in this position, but it was more-so of an hon-or to have met the candidates that ran against me.”

Truax had always wanted to serve on the California FFA State Officer Team ever since his freshman year of high school. However, when Truax’s father passed away from cancer as he was fin-ishing up his Central Region Presidency, Truax found himself at what he described as a “roadblock.”

Instead of running for a position, Truax instead opted to serve on the State FFA nominating committee and took part in electing the state officers for the next year. However during his freshman year of college when the deadline to apply for state officer was fast approaching, Truax changed his mind.

“I wanted to relinquish the idea of run-ning for the position because it would mean that I would be setting aside a pre-established college life, but I couldn’t es-cape this once in a lifetime opportunity o serve the members,” said Truax.

“It was my yearning to serve that helped

me make my decision,” continued Truax. Truax reported that his journey to be-

come State FFA Sentinel began with an extensive screening process where he was required to travel to Galt to take a test based on the organization, which nar-rowed down the candidates from 59 pro-spective hopefuls to 37. From there, he moved on to interviews at the State FFA Convention in April.

“These interview rounds, scored by the State Nominating Committee, were designed to encompass every aspect of the state office life,” said Truax. “Some examples of the rounds were media inter-views, stand and deliver—as if you were presenting to a board of directors—and working in a team setting.”

According to Truax, his favorite round had him conversing with three stakehold-ers: a representative from the California FFA Foundation, an agricultural industry expert, and a professional in agricultural education.

“We had to talk to them as if we were a state officer addressing concerns regard-ing the organization,” explained Truax.

Truax finessed his way to the final round, where the committee inquired about his true character through a per-sonal interview, and ultimately made it into the top 12 candidates.

After the committee slated two candi-dates for each of the six positions, each candidate was challenged to give a speech in front of the approximately 600 del-egates that were representing every chap-ter in the state during a general session, who would then vote for their candidate of choice.

“Towards the end of the last general session, the current state officers each an-nounced the new individuals that would be taking their place,” said Truax. “From there, we were given instructions back-stage to proceed with the installation pro-cess. We were installed and ushered into our new positions!”

Now as a state officer, Truax will attend meetings and orientations throughout this month and then in June he will move into a house, which is connected to the California FFA Center in Galt, with the rest of his team.

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According to Truax, the early months will consist of state officer trainings that are facilitated by National FFA. Af-terwards, he and his team “will hit the ground running” with industry visits and facilitating their first leadership confer-ence In July.

Truax will spend the next 300 days of his term alongside his team traveling the state of California to put on conferences, high school visits, and representing Cali-fornia during the National Convention in October. His term will end in April after his team facilitates the 88th State FFA Convention.

“My hope throughout the year is to build relationships with the members,” said Truax. “The greatest story that a young person can have is a testimony in which they found success through the FFA.”

“Throughout the year, it is my goal that I can assist in changing lives through wearing the blue corduroy jacket and give back to an organization that molded me into the person that I am today,” conclud-ed Truax.

Officer

Pitman High School graduate Tim Truax was selected to be State FFA Sentinel on this year’s California FFA State Officer Team. Truax will spend his term traveling the state to put on conferences, high school visits, and representing California during the National Convention in October.

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BY DALE BUTLERCeres Courier

Ceres High junior Kailee Fox fed her pig "Dixie" Fig Newtons while trying to coax her into remaining still for a photoshoot at a school farm located off Blaker Road in Ceres on May 18.

Ceres High sophomore Zachary Smith sprayed cold water on his pig Otis several minutes after the two re-turned from a walk.

Fox, Smith and fellow Ceres High and Central Valley FFA students will show and sell livestock at the Stan-islaus County Fair, including 21 pigs.

“This year, I’m encouraging the kids to be proactive and find buyers before the sale,” said Mardel Runnels, Ceres High animal science teacher/swine advisor.

Each student earned upwards of $1,200 per pig last year.

About 16 pigs are currently being housed at the school farm’s new swine

Ceres students’ swine revel in new home

DALE BUTLER/Ceres Courier

Ceres High sophomore Zachary Smith practices his pig handling skills outside the new swine barn.

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Ceres students’ swine revel in new home

DALE BUTLER/Ceres Courier

Ceres High junior Kailee Fox is a frequent visitor to the new swine barn at the school farm as she prepares to show her pigs at the Stanislaus County Fair in July.

barn.“That was our major project for

the year,” Runnels said. “We started the project in February and just fin-ished it. It was a huge undertaking. It’s a facility the kids are proud of. It also helped expand both schools’ pro-grams. That’s one of the things that make it great.”

“I had the opportunity to help build it,” Smith said. “This will be here long after I’m gone. It’s permanent. I’d like to come back and be an Ag teacher for Ceres Unified School District.”

The updated swine barn, which is 60 feet longer than the old one, has 11 pens.

The former makeshift barn, which was made of tarps, two-by-fours and hogwire, had just four pens.

“Last year, we could only house six pigs,” Runnels said. “Now, we can house 22.”

“There’s more student involvement because we have more space,” Smith said.

The old swine farm had concrete pens.

The new facility has dirt pens.“It was a necessary thing for us to

do,” Runnels said. “It allows us to have better animal care and manage-

ment. The environment is more com-fortable for them now.”

“It helps improve the quality of life for the pigs,” Smith said. “The dirt is softer on their joints.”

The swine-barn upgrade cost more than $3,000.

“We had a lot of parent and com-munity support,” Runnels said.

Fox will show and sell a pig at the fair for the third year in a row.

She spends at least two hours a day caring for Dixie.

“It varies,” Fox said. “I come here in the morning and at night. I love them (the new swine pens). It makes my job a lot easier. They’re so much nicer and sturdier. The pigs are defi-nitely happier. It’s more comfortable for them.”

Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s pigs will be shown July 13-14 and sold for meat consumption on July 18 at the Stanislaus County Fair.

“I’m super excited because I’m the swine advisor for Ceres High,” Run-nels said. “I tell my kids it’s important to bond with their animals. They’re responsible for caring for them. The kids also know that these animals are being raised to feed a family.”

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BY DALE BUTLERCeres Courier

Andrew Dias, Andrew Rollins, Ben-jamin Andrews, Kenneth Campbell and Aaron Lengel filled out online EdJoin job applications in April.

The five Central Valley High School FFA students were hired by Ceres Uni-fied School District to work this summer at the Ceres Agriculture Center, located behind Hidahl Elementary School in Ce-res.

Dias, Rollins, Andrews, Campbell and Lengel completed two rounds of inter-views.

They were required to get work permits and tuberculosis test shots.

“We had 16 students apply for five spots,” said Central Valley agriculture teacher Ken Moncrief. “There’s a lot of interest in this. We emphasize hands-on opportunities. It’s the most valuable way to learn.”

“My teacher (Mr. Moncrief) informed me of the job opportunity,” Lengel said. “I figured it would be great work experi-ence and a lot of fun. Ag is a career I’d like to pursue.”

Dias (Jr.), Rollins (Jr.), Andrews (Jr.), Campbell (Sr.) and Lengel (Jr.) will earn between $400-500 as employees of Ceres Unified’s Summer Ag Work Experience Program.

“It’s going to be an awesome opportu-nity,” Andrews said. “I get to get paid for something I love to do.”

Dias, Rollins, Andrews, Campbell and Lengel will work twice a week, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., during the months of June and July.

They’ll be responsible for tending, har-vesting and processing produce for the district’s Child Nutrition school lunch program.

“We’re raising enough money so we can pay the kids to help,” Moncrief said. “They’ll make $9 an hour. They’ll apply

all the different subjects they were taught during the school day. They’ll have an op-portunity to learn advanced things. It’s hands-on experience. That’s what makes our program special.”

“I’m pretty excited,” said Dias, FFA president. “I’m passionate about agricul-ture stuff.”

“It’s going to be a great experience,” Campbell said.

“It’s going to be fun,” Rollins said. “It makes me happy the school district

is putting trust into their students to do a good job,” Lengel said.

Dias, Rollins, Andrews and Campbell are in Moncrief ’s first-period plant pro-duction class.

“They’re at the farm for three hours a week all year long,” Moncrief said.

Moncrief led construction of the Ceres Ag Center over three years ago.

Ceres Unified provided the land, which has a value of $100,000, for the farm and assistance in financing for a tractor that

cost $25,000.The farm was equipped with a 3,000

square foot metal building for educa-tion, processing and storage during the 2013-14 school year. It was paid for by Sid Long and son Scott Long of Superior Fruit Ranch. The slab was funded by the Ceres Rotary Club.

“We’re blessed by a district that sup-ports us,” Moncrief said. “They’re spend-ing hundreds of thousands of dollars on operating and maintaining our labs. We have top-of-the-line Ag facilities. We of-fer better hands-on experience than any other high school in the area.”

Approximately 70 students from Cen-tral Valley and Ceres High will show house plants, vegetables and fruits at the 2015 Stanislaus County Fair.

“Last year, our students made about $9,000 in award money,” Moncrief said. “We’re giving all of our kids an oppor-tunity to have success. That’s why it’s so rewarding.”

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It comes as no surprise that more than half of the students at Hilmar High School are involved in the agriculture department’s FFA club.

The program, which has been a staple at the high school for 85 years, has continued to draw in students due to its dedication towards promoting the national organiza-tion’s mission statement of developing pre-mier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

“FFA is designed to promote leadership skills in young people and gives them op-portunities to develop career skills,” said FFA advisor Monique Reid. “Students don’t just learn about agriculture. FFA helps them to develop the soft skills that employ-ers are looking for—communication skills, decision making, responsibility, work ethic, punctuality, ethics.”

“Every student can benefit from this pro-gram,” continued Reid.

The program itself has proven success-ful with its members this year, as students have showcased their agricultural exper-

tise through various Career Development Events, or more commonly known as CDEs, at the 2015 State FFA Judging Fi-nals in San Luis Obispo.

“Each event is designed to teach students skills that are needed for a particular ag-re-lated career,” said Reid. “At Hilmar we fo-cus on the competitions that would benefit the employers in our community.”

During this year’s competition, the high school’s team placed second in the Dairy Cattle Judging CDE out of 22 participating teams, which helped competitors develop skills in dairy cattle selection and herd man-agement by challenging them to evaluate cattle based on characteristics that are sig-nificant to the industry.

The high school’s judging team also placed second in the Small Gas Engines CDE, which tested members’ skills and knowledge for maintaining and repairing small gas engines; and second in the Farm Power CDE, which tested students relating to power equipment used in agriculture.

Students also placed fifth in the Milk Quality and Dairy Foods CDE, where they had to exemplify their knowledge about

quality production, processing, distribu-tion, promotion, and marketing of milk and dairy foods; and 15th in Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE, where students developed their technical skills to solve complex problems.

“We have a lot of success in this area,” noted Reid.

Hilmar High School’s FFA members’ competitive side spans out further than just judging season, as Reid reported that stu-dents also participate in various FFA speak-ing events, including FFA Creed Public Speaking for freshmen.

Additionally, although Hilmar High School FFA members have already made an impression during this year’s judging season, they are aiming to continue their success during the Merced County Fair and Stanislaus County Fair in June and July, re-spectively.

“At the Merced County Fairs, we exhibit dairy cattle, pigs, lambs, goats, beef cattle, rabbits, poultry, ag mechanics and horticul-ture,” said Reid. “We also take ag mechan-ics and breeding animals to the Stanislaus County Fair in July.”

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LEFT: Prior to the 2015 State FFA Judging Finals in San Luis Obispo, judging teams from Hilmar High School FFA demonstrated their agricultural expertise by placing first in Dairy Cattle Judging, second in Farm Power, and third in Job Interview among other accolades at the 2015 Merced College FFA Field Day; According to Hilmar High School FFA Advisor Monique Reid, members host an educational petting zoo every year at local elementary schools.


an agricultural career when I first started. I just wanted to do it as hobby and then after high school go on to something big-ger. However when I got involved and learned about how agriculture and the community combine and work together, I realized that this is something I wanted to get involved in.”

Q. What do you plan to do after grad-uation?

A. “Before I got involved with FFA, I planned to go to college at California State University, Monterey and just move away from the valley. However, when I started to get involved with FFA, I real-ized I didn’t want to leave this. I’ve grown so much with so many people that I still wanted to be connected and help the ani-mals that I’ve raised. Now I am set to at-tend Modesto Junior College in the fall for the next two years and then transfer to CSU Stanislaus in order to become a veterinarian or own my own business. I wanted to give back to the communi-ty and give back to something that has changed my life.”

degree

ALYSSON AREDAS/The Journal

Following years of inspiration from his agriculturally-involved parents, Denair High School senior Kenneth Carder has been recognized as the only student in his senior class to earn the State FFA degree.

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Turlock High School FFA members have had a very busy year.

Students have lent a hand at different organizational events, including Modesto Model Area A’s Swap Meet, the Ag Boosters Crab Feed, Stanislaus County K-9 Unit Dinner, Memorial Hospital Pic-nic, Yosemite Farm Credit Picnic, Dairy Herd Improvement Association Golf Tournament, and the Sierra Vista Golf Tournament among others.

According to advisor Randee Prada, the chapter has also held various fundrais-ers throughout the year to raise money for the National FFA Convention and Expo, which was held in Kentucky and wel-comed approximately 50,000 FFA mem-bers throughout the nation.

For one fundraiser, the organization uti-lized herds of (wooden) cows to fund its way to the national convention. By plac-ing the fake cows on lawns throughout Turlock—an activity they referred to as “herding”—the chapter was able to raise money as participants donated money to flock their neighbors’ and friends’ yards.

Thanks to these fundraising efforts and more, Prada reported that THS was able to take 22 students to the National FFA Convention and Expo in October, which marked the first time the high school at-tended the event in four years.

“We attended sessions, listened to key-note speakers, took part in leadership activities and attended a large career fair that they have there with a lot of colleges and ag businesses, so it was a great oppor-tunity for our students to talk to them and see what it takes,” said Prada.

Throughout the year, THS FFA mem-bers attended monthly meetings, with each one having a different theme rang-ing from ice skating to trick-or-treat for canned food.

“We usually have around 125 to 150 members at our evening meetings and 300 at our lunch meetings,” said advisor Joe DiGrazia.

One meeting in particular, the Fall Feast, gave members a first hand look at world hunger when only a small number of students were given a full place setting at a table, which included a table cloth, utensils, napkins, a full meal and unlim-ited drink refills.

However, a majority of students found themselves sitting on the cafeteria floor with only rice and water. Not provided with any utensils or refills, these students represented third world countries, which

encompass 60 per-cent of the world.

“We want to get FFA organizations to focus on world hunger and inform students of the need that exists in the world,” said DiGra-zia during the No-vember event. “This event will help them understand how other people in the world live.”

Earlier this month, THS FFA members gathered to conclude the end of the school year at their Blue & Gold Banquet, where over $56,000 in scholarships were rewarded to 23 stu-dents. Although it is the end of the aca-demic year, mem-bers are far from finished.

DiGrazia reported that students at-tend a number of fairs and expositions throughout the year, one of which is the Stanislaus County Fair in July, where ap-proximately 120 students will participate in various exhibitions from livestock to flowers and plants to ag mechanics proj-ects.

“Each year we have close to 100 head of dairy cattle exhibited at the county fair, with approximately 30 to 40 head being replacement heifers which the students will sell,” said DiGrazia.

When asked on what kind of advice he would give to students who are interested in joining THS FFA, DiGrazia encour-aged students not only to get involved, but to get involved soon.

“Go for it. Even if you are not planning to be involved in an agriculture related field after graduation, the skills and expe-riences gained will be utilized somewhere or sometime in your lives,” said DiGra-zia. “FFA has something to offer each student whether it is college prep or ca-reer oriented.”

“Each student can gain leadership train-ing, career preparation, people network-ing skills, and build lifelong friendships,” continued DiGrazia. “Being involved will definitely give a high school student a more fulfilled and complete high school experience."

Turlock High FFA prepares students for future

At the Turlock High School FFA Fall Feast held in November, 60 per-cent of students represented third world countries and only received a cup of rice and water. According to THS FFA advi-sor Joe DiGrazia, this event helped students under-stand the size and severity of world hunger.

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When Denise Holmes and her sister left the Chatom 4-H Club approximately 20 years ago, it did not take long for the program’s beef project—which both sis-ters were avidly involved in—to disappear from the club as well.

“I believe there was one other family showing with us, but once they ended there was almost a 20-year gap where they didn’t have the beef project before I came back,” said Denise. “My kids say they do it for me and it’s true; it’s definitely carry-ing on a family tradition.”

Now, as the co-community leader of the Chatom 4-H Club, Denise has brought back the program’s beef project along with the dedication and help from her two children, Dustin Holmes and Destiny Holmes.

“Our mom was involved as 4-H as a little girl, so we just followed in her foot-steps,” said Destiny. “We also thought it was a good experience to try out.”

Through the beef project, both Dustin and Destiny learn about the anatomy, feeding and showmanship for beef cattle through purchasing, raising, and showing their own animal at the Stanislaus Coun-ty Fair.

Inspired by her mother before her and with the assistance of her grandfather, Destiny was able to show her first An-gus steer in her first year as a 4-H regular member at the age of 10, although she had been involved as a 4-H primary mem-ber since she was five.

When Destiny became a 4-H regu-lar member, she not only began to show Angus steer, but she also got involved in nearly every non-animal project, includ-ing arts and crafts, sewing, and baking. She has also held various leadership roles, including reporter, and she is set to as-sume her position as the club’s treasurer next year.

“I pretty much signed up for every-thing,” said Destiny.

Just like his sister, Dustin also shows Angus steer through the club’s beef proj-ect and has exemplified leadership quali-ties through his term as the club’s vice president. He will also assume the role of the Chatom 4-H club president next year.

“Being in 4-H definitely helped me with my confidence and showed me how to be a strong leader to help prepare for the fu-ture,” said Dustin.

Dustin reported that both his favor-ite part and biggest challenge from the Chatom 4-H club revolved around the

Stanislaus County Fair. “My favorite part is the whole fair ex-

perience,” said Dustin. “It’s always nice with your friends being there and you just get to show your animal to the public.”

The days leading up to the fair, howev-er, are what Dustin referred to as the most significant challenge posed to him, as he is required to dedicate both time and ef-fort to making sure his animal is prepared for the annual event.

“You also have to learn how to set up your animal properly, practice walking around, and prepare its coat by giving it a bath, blow-drying it, and combing it on a regular basis—all while making sure it is well-fed,” reported Dustin.

Denise reported that her children and other members of the Chatom 4-H club are not only involved in animal and non-animal projects, but in the community as well.

Members have volunteered to the ben-efit of the community with activities ranging from making food baskets with Turlock Together to signing Christmas cards for veterans to collecting cans for the homeless.

“A lot of people have the misconception that 4-H is all about showing animals, but it’s not,” said Denise. “Those who join 4-H get involved in both animal and non-animal projects that teach them responsi-bility and how to be a good leader.”

Family carries on 4-H tradition

Destiny Holmes and Dustin Holmes are preparing to show their Angus steers at the Stanislaus County Fair in July. According to Dustin, they have to learn how to set up their animals properly, practice walking around, and prepare its coat before the annual event

ALYSSON AREDAS/ The Journal


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