In the month of March, the Sacramento Leadership Experience took place in downtown Sacramento. This experience is a four day premier capstone leadership conference where only 75 of the top selected graduating seniors have the privilege to step into the role of California State Legislators. Our proud representative for this year’s conference is Bailey Cassady! Bailey not only served as a member of the leadership program, but also had the opportunity to take on the role of Majority Whip during the Democratic Debate, helping guide discussion and support her team throughout the activity. We are proud of Bailey for stepping up as a leader and representing our chapter so well!
Analy’s Ag Mechanics 2 class and the Dunham Elementary 5th/6th grade combination class have been working together to build commodity stands. Through this project, our Ag Mechanics students have led the opportunity to teach elementary students about measuring, developing plans, assembling their designs, painting, and now sharing their knowledge with the public in a meaningful way. The finished stands were presented at Sonoma County Farm Bureau Ag Days and will now be placed around the Dunham Elementary School’s track. Dunham will also be hosting their own Ag Days in April, where our students will continue participating and supporting the event.
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors: Roblar Quarry, Sonoma Mountain Herefords, Green Hill Farm, and Muelrath Ranch for helping make this project possible!
Saturday, April 4th held our annual Sebastopol FFA Easter Egg Hunt at the El Molino Campus! It was wholesome to see all the kids competing to find all the eggs hidden about the campus. We appreciate all of our members who helped plan, set up, and clean up for this event. A special thank you to all the parents who came out with their kids to participate in this wonderful event, we can’t wait to see you all next year!
During the month of April, Sebastopol FFA is hosting a Spring Canned Food Drive. For every 12oz, you can earn 1 FFA point! All of the donated canned goods will be distributed to those in need! We sincerely appreciate all of our members’ donations, each can counts!
Owen Lessard has been named one of the 2026 Harvest of Merit Award recipients by the Golden State Agricultural Foundation – one of just 42 students selected from over 125 applicants statewide. Even more exciting, he is the first ever Sebastopol FFA member to receive this prestigious grant. This award supports hands-on agricultural projects and recognizes outstanding dedication to the future of California agriculture. This grant will be put towards his 2026 Sonoma County Fair Market Hog Project. Congratulations Owen!
Our Grapevine Judging team returned from state finals in Fresno where they won 1st in Wine Spur, 1st in Table Spur, 2nd in Reasons, 3rd in Table Cane, 3rd in Wine Cane, and 1st High Team Overall! A huge shoutout to our senior ladies, Bailey Cassady won this year’s Champion (1st) High Individual Overall and Lauren Brady earned the State Reserve Champion (2nd) High Individual Overall Honors!
Thank you to the Fresno State Field Day Committee, the Enology/Viticulture staff, and the Almond Board of California for coordinating and sponsoring the contest. Thank you to Kings River Winery for allowing us to practice in your vineyard on our way to state. We’d also like to thank our team sponsors, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers Foundation and Emeritus Vineyards for supporting us throughout the year, we are so proud of this team!
On April 21st, our current officer team held a business meeting titled, “Day In The Life Of An Officer” that was able to give members who are interested in running for Sebastopol FFA office an insight on what the different positions entail, their duties, and even give some advice for the member who receives their position next.
Sebastopol FFA represented at the Apple Blossom Parade on April 25th! Having a float, members involved, and banners all around representing our organization has the opportunity to attract new members and families who desire to see more of our chapter. It was a blast seeing all the families and kiddos, we hope you enjoyed your candy!
Congrats to the speaking finalists who competed on April 16th at the State Level: our impromptu speaker, Sophie Marincik, and our prepared public speaker, Angelo Escutia. At the Regional level, Sophie took 1st place in her competition and Angelo took 4th, we are so proud of these two students!
May 15th marks the last big event of the year, Spring Banquet! This banquet celebrates the many outstanding members we have in our chapter through CDE’s, LDE’s, Speaking Competitions, Leadership Experiences, and more! Not only do we have the opportunity to recognize our members, parents, staff, and all the helping hands that bring Sebastopol FFA together, but we get to see the new election of your 2026-2027 Sebastopol FFA officers!
