Six earn state’s highest FFA degree
A ceremony conducted by the California State FFA officers was held at California State University, Chico on Thursday, March 22, where more than 600 people were in attendance for the FFA Golden State Degree ceremony.
This annual springtime event honors the work and dedication of many northstate agriculture students.
Requirements for receiving this degree include earning and investing at least $1,000 and working a minimum of 500 hours on their agricultural projects.
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 81,000 FFA members receive this degree each year.
Travis Griffith is a fourth year member of the Susanville FFA chapter and is the son of Chris and Loel Griffith.
His FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience project consists of raising market swine for four years. He has earned and invested more than $1,800 and put in more than 500 hours in his projects.
Carlene Simpson, the chapter’s vice president is also a fourth year member and is the daughter of Kim and John Simpson. Her Supervised Agriculture Experience consist of raising numerous market swine and earning more than $2,500 while dedicating 550 hours to her projects.
Hannah Heimbigner is a third year member of Susanville FFA and currently holds the office of chapter historian. She is the daughter of Peter and Dede Heimbigner. Heimbigner has raised and shown market swine as her Supervised Agriculture Experience for the past three years. Her earnings totaled more than $1,500 and she has worked 700 hours on her Supervised Agriculture Experience projects.
Mikaela Hanes is the chapter’s media officer and is the daughter of Michell and Michael Williams. She has been a member for four years and raises breeding sheep and proudly exhibits and sells market lambs from her own flock. Hanes has netted more than $2,700 and worked 800 hours.
Taylor Shannon is a senior and a fourth year member of the chapter. She is the daughter of Kristine Hoelzle. Shannon has successfully been raising and selling market swine for four years. She has earned more than $1,400 and put in 500 plus hours in her FFA project.
Becky Struthers is the chapter’s FFA reporter and is a third year member. She is the daughter of Juston and Marilyn Struthers.
Struthers has been raising quality market hogs for several years. Struthers has earned and invested $1,300 and spent nearly 600 hours on her Supervised Agriculture Experience.
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.
