MADERA FFA
Madera’s
Grape Life
by Kimberly Copland
GREENFIELD FFA
Top 15 Trip
by Aligha Ramey
At the end of every school year 15 students who have been extremely active
in our chapter and who have shown true leadership skills and strive to make
a difference at our school earn a spot to go on a top trip. Those students have
several Ag classes and work hard in every one of them. This year we took a trip
with 13 students down to the Grand Canyon though Arizona and California. Our
trip started on June 9 and ended on June 13. We attended the Grand Canyon
Star Party where we got to learn about so many stars and constellations, and one
of our very own students won a telescope. The next morning we did a three-mile
hike down the Grand Canyon. The students had so much fun and shared their
experience with the other members who now wanting to participate more to
experience an amazing trip with other amazing members!
Here at Madera South
High School’s Farm
we own a two-acre
vineyard. This vineyard
has three varieties,
which include Zinfandel, Cabernet and Pinot Noir.
Along with selling our wine made from these grapes, the
vineyard also allows for students to have the opportunity
to gain experience in the fields working with crops. This
also allows our viticulture students to learn more about
the growing process of this crop. We hold a grape
harvest for our students to give them a chance to become
hands-on and learn more about how grapes are one of
Madera’s top commodities. This year we had a little over
40 students participate and have a blast learning more
about the grape and wine process!
ATWATER FFA
Water Rally at the State Capitol
by Alyssa Carrillo
Nearly fifty Atwater High School agriculture and FFA students joined hundreds of farmers,
farm employees, community leaders, state and federal lawmakers, the Atwater High School
Band, and other Merced Union High School agriculture program and FFA students in
Sacramento last August to rally against what is described as a “state water grab.” The
opportunity for students to take part in the event was organized through the Merced County
Farm Bureau, Assemblyman Adam Gray’s (D-Merced) office, and Atwater High School’s
Superintendent, Alan Peterson. “This was an opportunity for our agriculture students to
experience legislative and government policy among their community and agriculture industry partners,” said Atwater High School FFA advisor Kim
Macintosh. For many students, it was the first time in Sacramento and the Capitol. “I learned that the water issue expands beyond just farmers and has
an effect on all of us,” said Atwater High School agriculture student Jennifer Velazquez.
Tell us your chapter’s scoop! Here’s how...
1) Submit a 100-150 word article about your chapter’s recent activity.
• Please do not include members’ or advisors’ names within the article.
• The article should be about an interesting and/or unique FFA activity.
This is an opportunity to showcase new and innovative chapter
activities.
2) Attach a GREAT quality digital photo.
• Photos should be in color and help further explain the submitted article.
• Photos must be sent as individual picture files.
3) Email the above information to [email protected].
• The subject of the email must include your chapter’s name. In the email,
please include the author of the chapter scoop and title of the article.
4) Please reference page two for California FFA News revised submission
deadlines. •
California FFANEWS • PAGE 15 • Winter 2018