GUSTINE FFA
Truck and
Tractor Pull
by Aubrie Hazan
LATHROP FFA
County Ag Fest
by Danelle Ariaz
The Lathrop FFA had an amazing San Joaquin County
Ag Fest. In total, the Lathrop FFA Chapter had 51
projects at the Ag Fest. Projects ranged from pigs,
to rabbits all the way to floral arrangements. The Ag
Fest was held in June at the Stockton Fair Grounds.
Each group of swine kids help out at the show ring and
with the loading of the sale animals. Shown are 11 of
the students from Lathrop High who were helping push
hogs into the sale ring. We believe that lots of helpers
make work easy. Most of the kids would switch out
with another student when their sale number came up.
Gustine FFA was
honored to represent
our chapter on CBS
47 News in Fresno
regarding our annual
Truck and Tractor Pulls. Members were able to attend the newscast to share information
and promote the big event. This year marked the 34th year for the tractor pulls and was
dedicated to one of the founders of the event, who recently passed away, Mr. Steve
Bell. Mr. Bell was a member of both the Gustine Ag Advisory Board and Valley Tractor
Pullers Association; he brought the idea of having a truck and tractor pull to Gustine FFA
and 34 years later it is our biggest event of the year, raising approximately $15,000.
The money allows students to attend different leadership conferences, conventions, and
other FFA events and contests throughout the year. We are grateful for the opportunity
to promote our event and FFA chapter during multiple segments of Channel 47 News.
IMPERIAL FFA
Ag Orientation Day
by Lauren Drewry
On August 29 Imperial FFA hosted our Ag Orientation. During the orientation, the Chapter
Officers had the opportunity to speak to all of Imperial FFA’s members about FFA events and
the activities that will take place throughout the year. The officers’ presentation included: A
video introducing the Officer Team and this year’s theme, “Envision Your Future”; a short
speech on each conference and CDE contests and several “icebreakers” so the officers
could mingle and participate in team-building exercises with the members. During the day
the Officers were able to bond with and encourage the members to be involved and discover the great skills they could gain from being active in FFA.
Many students enjoyed the activities of the day and became very excited about becoming a part of FFA. The Ag Orientation gave us the opportunity to
meet our members and get to know the amazing group that we were going into the year with.
EXETER FFA
Students Return to School with a Splash
by Lauren McEwen
Exeter FFA kicked off the school year this August with an exciting water-themed chapter
meeting. Complete with a snow cone truck, the Exeter FFA chapter provided a menagerie
of activities including mini games, water balloons, squirt guns, a dunk tank, and two
massive water slides for the over 200 members in attendance. The snow cones provided
a refreshing treat in the triple digit heat as students lounged in the shade, raced down
the slides, and socialized during several beach ball games. There are 430 members in
the Exeter FFA Chapter and the recent meeting was among the most popular in years.
{ Continued on page 15 }
California FFANEWS • PAGE 14 • Winter 2018