California FFA students win in Agricultural Proficiency

Six California high school students were named winners of Agricultural Proficiency Awards during the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis last month.

The awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, or SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management. 

This year’s winners are:

• Saray Madriz Alcaraz of the Madera FFA Chapter for small animal production and care—entrepreneurship/placement. She gained experience through her production enterprise breeding, raising and showing rabbits. Her project focused on breeding fryers to sell to 4-H and FFA members across the state to show at their county fairs. Her operation grew in scope from three rabbits in 2022 to 545 in 2025. Madriz Alcaraz is supported by her parents, Arturo and Lidia Madriz, and FFA advisers Kristin Sheehan, Stephanie Goeb, Jorge Salas, Madelyn Fernandes, Sigifredo Rubio Contreras and Julie Lu.

• Clarke Conrad of the Merced-El Capitan FFA for specialty animal production—entrepreneurship/placement. Conrad worked for Conrad Bee Pollination and owned 48 beehives under G&C Bee. Through his experience, Conrad learned and managed all aspects of beekeeping production, sold honey and provided bee rentals for pollination. He plans to pursue a career in beekeeping after completing his agricultural business degree. Conrad is supported by his parents, Jason and Jeannine Conrad, and his FFA advisers Kaylyn Davenport, Celia Casso, Daniel Fishman, Michaela Pignone, Julie Schellhase and Dillon Guillen.

• Gauge Goehring of the Galt FFA for swine production—entrepreneurship.  Goehring owned and operated Double G Show Pigs, managing, breeding, producing and exhibiting show pigs. He developed skills in nutrition management, researching and implementing disease prevention measures, reproductive management and marketing, which will assist him in his career goal of becoming a professional pork producer. Goehring is supported by his parents, Sonny and JessaLee Goehring, and FFA advisers Derek Silva, Jordan Albiani, Sarah Ronayne, Cheryl Reece and Patrick MacDonald.

• Jackson Alves of the Hamilton City-Hamilton FFA for diversified crop production—placement. Alves worked on his family’s 2,000-acre farm in the production of rice, hay, olive, almond, corn and wheat. Through this experience, he learned about successful agriculture business practices, operating large equipment, analyzing crop health and determining irrigation cycles, and made plans to become a rice farm manager in the future. Alves is supported by his parents, Rich and Amy Alves, and by FFA advisers Ashley Thorpe, Janice Lohse and Andrew Martin.

• Elliott Kramer of the Galt FFA for environmental science and natural resources management—entrepreneurship/placement. He worked in a placement position with Kramer Reclamation and Mining, a family business that conducts land reclamation for habitat and wildlife restoration. During his employment, he contributed to the completion of the restoration of a 44-acre riparian habitat and learned to perform geological surveys using drones. Kramer is supported by his parents, Daniel and Nancy Kramer, and FFA advisers Derek Silva, Jordan Albiani, Patrick MacDonald, Caitlin Holder, Anaely Marquez and Sarah Ronayne.

• Derek Rulon of the Cottonwood-West Valley FFA for wildlife production and management—entrepreneurship/placement. Rulon volunteered at a local wildlife center to gain experience in helping build bird enclosures and duck boxes, and assisted with the rehabilitation of wildlife. He plans to earn a degree in animal science before attending veterinary school to focus on wildlife medicine. Rulon is supported by his parents, Khristopher and Crystal Rulon, and FFA advisers Terra Gibson, Eric Poldervaarrt, Kayla Bowerman and Laura Gonzales.

Meanwhile, Hanford FFA was one of three chapters that won the #SpeakAg Showcase competition. Each participating chapter submitted a 1-2 minute video about what makes agriculture unique in their region, state or local area. They were judged on creativity, agriculture knowledge and state representation.

Reprint with credit to California Farm Bureau. For image use, email agalert@cfbf.com.

In this edition…

• View full issue
• California farmers explore seaweed crop
• Soaring costs and low yield dampen walnut prospects
• Lessons learned from being a dot on bankruptcy map
• Ventura County's record crop values describe 'only half the story'
• From the Fields: Bryan Van Groningen, San Joaquin County farmer
• From the Fields: Steven Springer, Yuba County farmer
• From the Fields: Jim Spinetta, Amador County winegrape grower
• From the Fields: Billie Roney, Tehama County rancher
• Market, prices strengthen for sweet potato growers
• Advocacy in Action: A legal victory, air monitoring, kangaroo rat, screwworm and wolves
• Protein boom marks 'paradigm shift' in dairy sector
• California FFA students win in Agricultural Proficiency
• Protecting your herd: Modern solutions for livestock theft