enrolled in Ag Education courses.
Upper Lake FFA strives to fulfill the service
component of the FFA organization, essentially
“living to serve.” Being a small community
means that we experience everything together,
the beautiful and the devastating. Recently our
community, and surrounding communities, have
been immensely affected by raging wildfires
that have destroyed homes and agricultural
commodities, and disrupted the daily lives of
many citizens. The entire north shore of Clear
Lake was evacuated for over 10 days prior to
the start of school this year due to the Ranch and
River Fires (known as the Mendocino Complex).
The Ranch Fire grew to be the largest wildfire
in California’s history! During this time, our FFA
members rallied together to evacuate animals,
gather donations of food and clothing as well
Photo Captions (opposite page, upper left, rotating clockwise): Upper
Lake FFA’s Annual Canned Food Drive; The Ranch Fire burning toward
our Advisor’s property. Mrs. Boomer’s house and barns were unharmed,
but her family cabin and grazing lands were lost. She is so grateful for
all that was saved!; Mr. Decker’s Geometry and Ag Construction class
building the new goat shelter at the School Farm. Students in this class
get Math and Ag credits, and they love “learning to do” construction
projects that also benefit our SAE projects.; and Upper Lake FFA Chapter
President, Rebecca Harper, at her home site which was a total loss during
the Pawnee Fire in June. (upper left, rotating clockwise): Sheep exhibitors
as livestock feed and hay for those affected.
Organizations like LEAP (Lake Evacuation
Animal Protection)/Animal Control and Calfire
were crucial in saving livestock and property,
but so were our FFA Advisors and our Chapter
President, Rebecca Harper, and her family.
They were able to gain authority clearance
into evacuated areas to make multiple trips with
{ Continued on page 12 }
showing off their ribbons for showmanship at the Lake County Fair. Adriana
was a first-time sheep showman, qualifying her for Large Animal Round
Robin Showmanship competition; Chapter Treasurer, Amanda Maxwell,
with one of the School Farm Goat Breeding Project kids. We have a herd
of seven does that live at the school farm and kidding season is a favorite
time for all members!; These are photos from the annual Wreaths Across
America event. We placed over 200 wreaths last Christmas to honor our
Veterans; and Mr. Decker and Mrs. Boomer with our chapter officers and
visiting State FFA Officers, Orrin Jones and Kyler Vernon.
California FFANEWS • PAGE 5 • Winter 2018