This year, the Escalon FFA Chapter had eight judging teams compete throughout the state in various competitions. The Agriculture Pest Control, Light Horse Judging, Livestock Judging, Food Science and Technology, Dairy Cattle Judging, Poultry Judging, Agriculture Welding, and Farm Power teams consisted of four students each, who demonstrated their skills and knowledge in each discipline area. Both community colleges and universities in California host field days for FFA members to compete, and each team has a designated college where their state finals contest is held. As such, Escalon had teams compete at nearly every college contest, including their state finals.
Most recently, the chapter traveled to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for the state finals in Poultry and Light Horse Judging. In the poultry contest, members evaluated live birds as well as poultry products. The team was the Reserve Champion Team in the state, and consisted of Ace Lombardo, who was 2nd high individual overall, Cortney Ball, who placed 3rd, Kaliea Jones, who placed 6th, and Alex Martinez. The Light Horse Team, which evaluates both performance and conformation classes, consisted of Tryden Rice, Arianna Romero, Brianne Coehlo, and Mia Fernandes.
In April, Fresno State hosted their FFA Field Day and state finals for Agriculture Pest Control and Farm Power. In Ag Pest Control, a contest where members test their knowledge in entomology, Escalon placed third overall in the state. The team consisted of members Destiny Reyes, Lillian Brasil, Brittany Dugo, and Molly Terpstra, with Reyes placing 5th, Terpstra placing 7th, and Brasil placing 9th overall as individuals. The Farm Power team, which has both an exam and equipment operation practicum, was seventh in the state, and consisted of Zachary Smallwood, Justin Perez, and Jayden Fowler.
In March at the UC Davis Field Day, the Food Science and Technology Team, where members are tested on their scientific and practical knowledge in food science, product development and product labeling, placed first as a team, making them State Champions. The team consisted of Makenzie Mendes, Madison Smith, Jackson Runnels, and Molly Terpstra, with Smith placing 1st, Mendes 2nd, Runnels 3rd, and Terpstra 6th overall. The team will travel to Indianapolis, Indiana in November to compete in the National Food Science Contest, representing the California FFA Association.
