San Luis Obispo FFA Chapter honored with donated jacket
of 1962 National Vice President, Jerry Diefenderfer.
Founded on tradition, service and leadership, the National FFA
Organization has been a voice for the agriculture industry for
nearly a century. Although the San Luis Obispo FFA chapter is
made up of only 300 members, out of the total 620,000 members
nationwide, we have pride in our chapter’s traditions and the
members before us–those who paved a pathway for growth and
leadership. We felt honored when Mr. Jerry Diefenderfer contacted
us and wanted to donate his jacket. The jacket serves as a symbol
of pride, honor and memories embedded within the blue and gold
corduroy.
Mr. Diefenderfer is a true
Mr. Diefenderfer served a State
example of what it means
Sentinel in 1960, and State
to be FFA Proud, shown
President the following year.
through his countless years
He continued his agricultural
of service.
pursuit in 1962, when he
served a National Vice
President representing the Western Region. He is a true example of
what it means to be FFA Proud, shown through his countless years of
service. We recognized him as an influential member that inspired
thousands of members as he traveled across the nation, and as he
stood before our chapter officer team, administrators, and students,
with the same enthusiasm while he spoke of his experience and the
pride he has in his jacket. He spoke of the opportunities that FFA
provided for his adult life and career, encouraging our members
as they look to the future, choosing pathways and majors in the
agriculture industry.
The walls of the agriculture classrooms are filled with plaques,
pictures and banners, documenting the memories of our foundation
that we do not want to forget. Throughout our years we have
had many jackets donated for students to use as the begin their
agriculture journey, and few
He spoke of the opportunities
we have put in shadow boxes,
that FFA provided for
such as Past State Officers,
his adult life and career,
Carey Galliani and Kenna
encouraging our members
Lewis. Along with the other
as they look to the future,
jackets that have honored our
choosing pathways and
chapter, Mr. Diefenderfer’s
majors in the agriculture
jacket is a symbol that will
industry.
be remembered far longer
than those blue ribbons and
silver bowls. It is truly an honor that Mr. Diefenderfer’s jacket will
be amongst the jackets that will forever stay on the wall as a
legacy of his pursuits, dedication and pride of the National FFA
Organization and the agriculture industry. •
California FFANEWS • Page 9 • Summer 2016