FFA members earn state’s highest degree
The State FFA Degree ceremony at CSU, Chico is the annual springtime event that honors the work and dedication of many north-state agriculture students. Requirements for receiving this degree include earning and investing at least $1000 and working a minimum of 500 hours on their supervised agricultural experiences.
The recipient must also understand parliamentary law, have proficient speaking abilities, participate in 25 hours of community service and be active in the FFA at the local, regional and state level. Approximately 4 percent of California’s 86,000 FFA members receive this degree each year. A ceremony was conducted by the California State FFA officers at Laxson Auditorium on Thursday March 21, where more than 570 people were in attendance for the FFA Golden State Degree ceremony.
Elena German is a third year member of the Susanville FFA chapter and is the daughter of Paul and Dawn German. Her SAE consists of raising market dairy steers for three years as well as a multitude of dairy replacement heifers and cows. She has earned and invested more than $6,000 and put in more than 900 hours in her projects. German is also an accomplished extemporaneous public speaker and parliamentary procedure team member who will be competing at the state finals in April in both categories. Beyond her speaking abilities, German is a member of her chapter’s successful floriculture team and the chapter’s secretary.
Cade Lile is a fourth year member and is the son of David and Linda Lile. Lile’s SAE consists of raising numerous market steers and earning more than $5,500 while dedicating 550 hours to his projects. Lile has been on the chapter’s opening and closing contest team for two years and served as the chapter’s 2017-2018 FFA secretary. Lile will be heading to Utah State University in the fall to study economics.
Jack Mallery is a third year member of Susanville FFA and is the son of Terry and Ranielle Mallery. Mallery works with his dad in running a custom haying business as part of his SAE. Mallery also owns a flock of 18 breeding ewes and sells his lambs locally as well as showing his own stock at the Lassen County Fair. His earnings totaled more than $10,000 and he has worked more than 1,000 hours on his SAE projects. Mallery is an integral part of the chapter’s forestry team.
Christina West-Lucchesi is the daughter of Jennifer West and Charles Lucchesi. She has been a member for four years. Her placement SAE consists of working for Milwood Florist and Nursery for the past two years and running her own floral entrepreneurship making wristlets for formal dances at Lassen High School. West-Lucchesi has netted more than $3,000 and worked 600 hours. West-Lucchesi is the chairperson for the state qualifying advanced parliamentary procedure team. She competed in the job interview contest with great success and is a valuable member of the chapter’s floriculture team. West-Lucchesi will be attending Kansas State University next fall studying Horticulture with an emphasis on plant genetics.
Brock Wolf is a junior and a third year member of the chapter. He is the son of Brian and Michelle Wolf. Wolf has been successfully raising breeding and market cattle as well as market lambs for years. He also works for Wolf Ranch throughout the year. He has earned more than $14,400 and put in 700 plus hours in his FFA projects. Wolf has been involved in his chapter as a member of the livestock judging team and representing Susanville FFA at the State FFA Convention.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
