By Craig W. Anderson
California’s high schools are in the midst of a renaissance in career and technical education to prepare students with the skills needed to acquire high-wage jobs in agriculture-associated industries and San Joaquin County’s high schools are at the forefront of creating a forward-thinking agricultural educational environment in a county where agriculture generates more than $2 billion annually.
“These students are an incredible group of young agriculturists in the county’s high schools,” said SJFB Executive Director Andrew Genasci. “It’s great to see how good this group’s doing at all levels of ag and FFA.”
The state has invested more than $3 billion over the last decade in encouraging and expanding high school career and technical education and it’s evident that high schools in the county are putting an emphasis on agriculture as a career.
Vocational ag courses are widely varied and hands-on oriented and based on student participation are just what students, parents and the ag industry want.
“How well these schools are doing with ag education is amazing,” Genasci said. “They’re generating a great deal of enthusiasm for the future of agriculture in San Joaquin County.”
Here’s what happened in the 2023-2024 school year at the majority of San Joaquin County’s high school agriculture education programs.
East Union High School
The past school year was a good one for the 509 students in the ag/FFA programs at Manteca’s East Union High School, said ag instructor Tristyn Silva, who, along with her four colleagues, “are getting to know our new administration. So far, our principle has been supportive and we are looking forward to working with them and getting them acquainted with our department.”
The ag department has two new laser engravers, a greenhouse “that’s now running with a new irrigation system which helps the course pathways of Science, Floral, Wood and Mechanics for our students,” Silva said.
A major fundraiser for the program found the “chapter’s students selling more than 200 fruit trees,” she said.
FFA accomplishments included East Union’s Parliamentary Procedure team competing at an advanced level in the just concluded school year. “Many of our members also received their floral certifications,” noted Silva.
Silva said the California Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) program helped East Union’s Ag program with funding.
Escalon High School
Escalon High School’s school year had 373 students learning about the variety of agricultural sectors from the staff of Gypsy Stark, Rachel Pimentel, Kenny Saephan and Brittany Johnson.
“We have multiple facilities on campus that help with hands-on learning and also house their SAE projects,” said Rachel Pimentel. “We have a school farm located within walking distance…and it includes housing for students’ animal projects such as swine, turkeys, chickens, sheep and goats.”
The farm facility also boasts a greenhouse, garden beds and an orchard, all of which are used to teach the various parts of the horticulture industry; the greenhouse propagates various plants used in the spring plant sale along with it being a controlled environment for the chemistry and agriculture biology labs.
“For our Ag Mechanics pathway, we have a welding shop so students can practice their welds and as they move up that pathway, they have space to work on projects they design in their capstone course,” Pimentel said.
She said the community, parents, district and administration have all “been supportive of our program this year. They’ve helped students through our various fundraisers…and we’ve partnered on community service events with volunteer students throughout the year.”
Equipment acquired included new welders for the shop and necessary equipment for the Food Science lab that will be constructed when the plans are approved by the Division of State Architects (DSA).
The major fundraiser – the Drive Thru Tri-Tip BBQ – helped fund student trips; smaller efforts included a cookie dough sale, ad placement sales for showcasing at the annual FFA Banquet and a plant sale that was “multifaceted due to its concentration not only on the plants but for the customer service aspect as well,” Pimentel said.
She added, “We had two senior students attend the Sacramento Leadership Experience, eight students received their State Degrees in April and during the school year we had a variety of Career Development Event (CDE) teams that competed.”
And, as has been the case for years, the agriculture students put on “Ag Day” for the incoming freshman class, to promote interest in the pathways offered: Animal Science, Floral Design, Agriscience and Agricultural Mechanics.
Lathrop High School
Danelle Ariaz, Ag Department head at Lathrop High School said her 337 students and two instructors have “really good financial support from the district. Also, this year with the changing of the Ag Incentive grant, it allowed us to get more money from the state for our program which meant we don’t have to fundraise just to do the mandatory things [and] it has allowed us to take more kids to different functions…they never would have been able to go to otherwise.”
Helping keep the excitement going, Lathrop’s ag program added a new Bobcat tractor at the school farm, “Something that has been greatly needed for many years. And the rabbit barn had work done for the coolers,” Ariaz explained.
Regarding fundraisers, Ariaz said, “Normally, we only do drive thru dinners, but this year we added Rocky Mountain Candy Apples. They were really amazing and sold very well.”
Lathrop High fared well in competitions, Ariaz said. “Students have done well from placing in the opening and closing contest all the way through winning the section El Credo contest and we also had a student make it to the regionals for her prepared speech on lab-grown meat.”
Ag Science, Animal Science and Wood and Welding are the course pathways; these and other portions of the ag program are aided by grants.
Rabbits have been big for Lathrop’s instructors who have raised them and sold them to students to be raised as market projects. Ariaz has operated the Sheep and Boer Goat Co-Op for a decade. “Each year the sheep and goats get better and more students are raising them as projects. Some did really well at fairs up and down the state. Each year we add to our flock with babies we’ve bred or have gotten through other means,” Ariaz commented.
Lodi High School
Brent Newport, Lodi High ag instructor said 350 unduplicated students are taught the nuances of agriculture by Alyssa Oberle, Kim Schmierer, himself and Saira Barajas, a newcomer for the upcoming school year.
“We’re working on expanding our livestock facilities on campus,” Newport said, adding that, “We’re very fortunate to have strong administrative, community and parent support.”
Helping Lodi High’s cause is the major fundraiser, the Lodi FFA Boosters crab feed, an annual event held the last Saturday in January.
Accomplishments by the ag department’s students was exemplary last year, according to Newport, with 13 state FFA degrees, three proficiency winners and 29 state convention attendees.
Teams participated in every field day throughout the state including venues at Chico State, Butte College, UC Davis, Modesto JC, Sanger, Gridley and the Merced State Finals. Career Development Events (CDE Teams) in Ag Welding, Floriculture, Vet Science, Farm Power and Meats Judging. Leadership Development Events (LDE’s) including Job Interview, FFA Creed, Impromptu Speech and 100-plus entries in AgFest representing all species.
“Our course pathways include Ag Mech, Floral and Agriscience,” Newport said.
Lodi High has benefited by CTEIG, Perkins and AIG grants in addition to booster support.
“The Ag Department celebrated its 100th annual awards banquet in May,” Newport said. “It began in 1913 when the first agricultural course was taught, one class, at Lodi Union High School…in 1919 the first trained Ag teacher was hired…in 1928 86 students were enrolled in the Ag Program.”
Manteca High School
The 333 students in Manteca High School’s ag/FFA program are instructed by Amanda Martinez, Heather Nolan, Ryan Coggins and Thomas Wood.
“Our students built a new BBQ for the department in the advanced welding class,” said Amanda Martinez. “It was finished just in time to be used for our spring drive-thru BBQ fundraiser.”
The campus also has a 72- by 30-foot greenhouse and raised flower beds, she explained. “There is a district school farm that we share with the other high schools in the district where students can house their fair projects. This year we have students raising pigs, sheep, goats and meat birds.”
All of this, she said, is supported by the administration and parents, including an alumni group, Friends of the Manteca FFA which supports students by providing FFA jackets, scholarships and grants that facilitate students attending conferences and to support Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. CTE and AG incentive grants also played important financial roles.
FFA accomplishments are represented overall by freshman Giselle Patterson who competed in the Creed Speaking contest at the Delta Valley sectional contest and moved on to compete at regionals.
“We had quite a few students earn their Greenhand and chapter degrees in the fall and spring semesters,” Martinez said.
The program’s course pathways include Animal Science, Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience, Ornamental Horticulture and Floriculture when combined with the other program offerings provides a well-rounded ag-focused education.
Merrill F. West High School
Ag/FFA participation is well beyond mere interest in agriculture as the 732 students in the program attest and Marlene Hepner noted her very busy colleagues who educate this crowd in aspects of agriculture: Abigail Ferrell, Audrianna Farmer, Taylor Myers, Kari Magniez and Brenda Petersen.
About the departments’ major projects, Hepner said, “We were blessed with a construction overhaul of our Agriculture Garden Research and SAE area with new animal enclosures with sun cover, numerous power sources with additional water access, our Agriculture Mechanics’ outdoor shaded concrete workspace with power, and updating of the garden plots.”
She said Merrill F. West High School is “incredibly fortunate to have amazing support for the program at the site and management levels, including from the Facility and CTE Directors. We are excited to have a new principal and an additional agriculture teacher join our ranks.” Due to the administrative support, the department also hosted more of the Delta Valley Sectional events at its site.
Hepner pointed out that all of Merrill West’s courses “meet A-G requirements. Ag Biology, Ag Chemistry and Ag Physics meet all D Lab requirements. Integrated Animal Science, Advanced Animal Science, Ag Mechanics 1, Ag Mechanics 2, Ag Foods 1 and 2 and our new Ag Business classes are all G elective. Floral is a fine art requirement.” A new pathway of Ag Business and Marketing has been added. Course pathways include Agriscience, Animal Science, Ag Mechanics, Floriculture and Food Science.
Merrill West ag students are, she said, continually supported through the use of the greenhouse where many ran trials for Agriscience projects. “
Fundraisers such as the annual Tri Tip Dinner and the annual See’s Candy sale along with selling Poinsettia and Easter Lily events contribute to the department’s success.
The school farm has benefited from new driveways, poultry barns and new small and large animal enclosures. “We continue to have student projects housed at the farm including AgFest projects, a laying hen project and animal science projects,” noted Hepner.
In assorted competitions the Ag/FFA students fared well. “We have amazing students at West High School, including Peyton DeCoite in multiple competitions and Danny Vargas and Jayden Nunez likewise displaying expertise in various areas,” Hepner said.
Regarding facility changes, Hepner said the department is waiting on a new welding shop to be built in the next school year with a new agriculture classroom along with continuing upgrading of other facilities.
Ripon Christian High School
Ripon Christian High School’s 150 students in the ag/FFA program is a solid number but even more impressive is that it comprises 57% of the student body.
Instructing these students are Megan Dyk: Agriscience and Floral, Cherise Duncan: Ag Welding and Woodworking, Jessica Damante: Agriscience and agribusiness.
New on campus this year, reported Dyk, is a second barn for raising livestock at the Van Till Livestock Facility and, she said, “A greenhouse will be installed this summer for the upcoming school year.” Also, students will continue to manage the school walnut orchard under the guidance of local farmer Chris Van Groningen.
“Support for our program continues to be strong,” Dyk commented. “We are blessed by an active administration and community.” Contributing to that activity are two auctions per year, organized by the Ripon Christian community where the school is a direct beneficiary of “generous donations and financial support. Guest speakers often come into ag classes to share their experience and knowledge within the local ag industry. Tours of local ag businesses and facilities have been an important part of our program in order to further educate our students on current industry trends and advancements.”
Fundraisers for smaller schools are important and Ripon Christian’s consist of two main fundraisers: the annual Christmas Tree Lot and the Floral Subscriptions.
Regarding the future, Dyk said, “We’re looking forward to the new greenhouse and more expansion of the plant science facilities on campus and as the floral program continues to flourish, a second floral cooler will be moved in this summer.”
In the accomplishments area, Dyk touted eiight students earning State Degrees and and State Champions; Floriculture with Cora Vandermeulen, 1st High Individual; State Champion Horse Team with Allison Copland, 1st High Individual; Farm Power 3rd in State.
Course pathways are Ag Mechanics, Floriculture and Agriscience/Agribusiness.
Ripon High School
Ripon High School has 333 students in the ag program with 325 participating in one or more FFA activities at the chapter level and above, said Sherry Johns, CTE Department Head. The instructors include Johns (Ag Mechanics and Power Mechanics), Celeste Morino (Agriscience), Danielle Hyatt (Plant and Soil Science-Food Science emphasis) and Bulmaro Bribiesca (Ag Mechanics-Fabrication).
“We’ve finished tables for the greenhouse located in the Outdoor Lab Facility,” said Johns. “Construction of a CTE Educational Facility will house the new Agriculture Mechanics Power Shop (Small Engines and Diesel) as well as the Plant and Soil Science-Food Science Pathway to include a commercial kitchen.”
Johns said the program receives from the administration “excellent support as usual helping direct the program and giving valuable input in the development facilitation of programs and what skills are needed to be taught to meet the industry demands for highly trained employees.”
Equipment is always important to a successful ag program and Johns said the school is currently purchasing equipment to “meet industry standards, to teach the Food Science and Farm to Fork curriculum, as well as the equipment to facilitate the additional shop to include parts cleaner, median blaster, student workstations, tools and necessary training boards added because of the additional shop space.”
Grants and fundraisers combine to provide funds for the ag program and the annual Cows, Carbs and Cocktails dinner and fireworks will be sold with the funds offsetting the cost of students participating in sectional, regional, state and national competitions and conventions.
Ripon did well in various events with eight students receiving State FFA Degrees, three earned American Degrees.
The program’s pathways include Agriscience, Ag Mechanics-Fabrication, Ag Mechanics-Power Mechanics, Plant and Soil Science-Food Science, and Ag Business.
Johns said, “We’re hoping to move into our new building by the first of October.” a sign of Ripon’s continuing education evolution.
Tokay High School
With 400 students populating the ag/FFA program, ag instructors Rebecca Freeman, Chene Mogler, Jessie Chaves and Nolan McKeown are busy teaching and looking forward to the building of a new swine barn expected to be finished in the next school year and thereafter the home for up to 32 pigs.
About the support of the program, Freeman said, “We are very grateful to have a lot of administration and school district support. The district officials frequent our program for tours and representation.”
The primary fundraiser was the Booster Crab Feed which is an annual event.
Lodi’s success in competitions was led by the Grapevine Pruning team State Champions and Adrian Mendoza’s Championship in Spanish Creed Speaker.
“Our course pathways include Agriscience, Horticulture and Ag Mechanics,” said Freeman, adding that the programs benefited from CTEIG and Strong Workforce grants.
Tracy High School
Tracy High’s 525 student population of the ag/FFA program has five instructors; Pat Rooney (department chair), Yesenia Huerta (FFA Advisor), Jason Gentry, Francesca Carrillo and Paige Henry.
Rooney said, “We have a total of seven students utilizing our school farm to raise their sheep and goat projects for AgFest. This year we were able to offer the Meat Processing class again after a four-year absence from our program. This year we were able to have enough students sign up for the class and reopen our Meat Lab.”
As is the case with every school in the county surveyed by the Farm Bureau News, Rooney made it clear that “We continue to have excellent support from our community, parents, administrators and advisory board.”
The past school year saw new equipment additions including implements for the school’s new tractor along with a ripper and a brush mower. Rooney said, “The woodshop added a new commercial planer and drill press; the Meats class purchased a new grinder and vacuum sealer.” Two large floral coolers are also on the acquire list and he hopes to add some storage containers to the facility.
The fundraising aspect of the school year was successful via two large events which triggered the most money ever raised with all students participating in the Vertical Raise event and similar success with the annual Crab Feed in early February.
Rooney noted the achievements of “students competing in both Leadership Development Events (LDE) and Career Development Events (CDE). For LDE’s we had competitors in FFA Creed, ElCredo de FFA, Impromptu Speaking and Job Interview.”
Tracy High students placed 1st in Impromptu Speaking and 1st in Job Interview, qualifying them to compete at the regional level.
Tracy’s course pathways are Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience, Animal Science and Ornamental Horticulture.
“Our district was awarded with the CTEIG this year,” explained Rooney.
