Agriculture Department

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Jessica Brand

    Jessica Brand 

    Agriculture Department Chair, Agriculture Science Teacher and FFA Advisor
  • Photo of Mary Jane Gwerder

    Mary Jane Gwerder 

    Ag Teacher, FFA Advisor
Academics

Agriculture Department

Our Agriculture Department here at Central Catholic High School has dynamic classes that help enrich a student’s knowledge and understanding of the natural world around them. Being located in the State of California, WE have the unique opportunity to explore the ins and outs of growing and cultivating crops and raising animals in one of the prime locations in the country, as California produces over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts.* And our own local region, the Central Valley, is a vibrant agricultural hub as we supply milk, almonds, and poultry as our top commodities.*

For every student who has an interest and a passion in this realm, WE strive to guide them towards the necessary skills to support the agricultural future of our city, state, and country.

Please feel free ask questions about our Agriculture Department and FFA program when you are here on campus. Our students and teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and will happily answer any questions you may have. WE are here to support you!


*Statistics from:
California Department of Food & Agriculture
Stanislaus County's 2022 Agricultural Report

SCHOOL FARM UPDATE

WE are beyond thrilled to finally be able to be out on our school farm. The irrigation has been put in, as well as the fencing. Students are now able to tend to the area and they just had their first School Farm Work Day. WE look forward to cultivating this area and growing all sorts of lovely things!
Central Catholic High School was granted an FFA charter in 2014. Since then, WE have grown significantly with the help of our school, community, students, parents and FFA Advisors. 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.

All students enrolled in an agriculture course are granted membership into the FFA organization. WE look forward to working with each of you in developing and planting your faith through classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experiences, FFA conferences, and so much more!

National FFA
The National FFA Organization is committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Now, the organization is expanding the nation's view of "traditional" agriculture and finding new ways to infuse agriculture into the classroom.

FFA MISSION
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.

FFA Motto
Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family.

The Agricultural Education Mission
Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resource systems.



*Information from the National FFA Organization.

FFA - Future Farmers of America Officers

Reese Oliveria is our 2024-2025 Chapter President this year! Reese is a Senior. You can find her being our inspiring leader, guiding us with enthusiasm and dedication while leading our chapter to success! Reese is looking forward to making this year fun through all of our FFA events! Reese's favorite memory in FFA was State Convention 2023! A fun fact about Reese is that she was named after Reese's Pieces!
Matthew Stewart is our 2024-2025 Chapter Vice President this school year. Matthew is a Senior this year and has been in FFA for for 4 years. You can find him standing beside the President offering support and representing our chapter with passion! Matthew is looking forward to seeing the new barn come to life! Matthew's favorite memory in FFA was State Convention his Sophomore year in Ontario! A fun fact about Matthew is that he loves to golf and to fish.


Landyn Wetzel is our 2024-2025 Chapter Treasurer this school year. Landyn is a Senior this year and has been in FFA for 3 years! You can find her managing our chapter's finances and ensuring our financial stability. Landyn is looking forward to FFA week! Landyn's favorite memory in FFA was spending time with our team at our Officer retreat! A fun fact about Landyn is that she enjoys playing tennis!

Joseph Stewart is our 2024-2025 Chapter Sentinel this school year. Joseph is a Senior! You can find him there to support and welcome all our members and serve our chapter with enthusiasm! Justin is looking forward to the Christmas socials this year! Joe's favorite memory in FFA is going to State Conference in his Sophomore year. A fun fact about Joe is he has a dog named Apollo.
Rena Ralls is our 2024-2025 Chapter Secretary this school year and has been in FFA for 4 years! You can find her keeping our chapter organized, taking care of meeting minutes, and keeping us on track of important information! Rena is looking forward to State Convention and all the socials we have planned this year! Rena's favorite memory in FFA was going to National Convention and seeing Lainey Wilson! A fun fact about Rena is that she plays flag football and soccer. She also shows dairy cows and pigs at our county fair.
Meilani Duran is 2024-2025 Chapter Reporter this school year. Meilani is a Junior! You can find her documenting and sharing all the exciting moments from our FFA adventures and events! Meilani is looking forward to all the exciting socials and FFA events we have planned for the year! Meilani’s favorite memory in FFA was the B.I.G. field days she attended her Freshman year! A fun fact about Meilani is that she loves amusement parks and roller coasters!
Ava Corallo is our 2024-2025 Chapter Chaplin this school year. Ava is a Senior! You can find her leading prayers at major events and bringing faith formation to our team! Ava is looking forward to learning new things in her Agriculture Vet Science class. Ava's favorite memory in FFA was our Officer Retreat. A fun fact about Ava is she danced since she was eight!

STANISLAUS COUNTY FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

Please click on the photos to go through the entire carousel of photographs.

DAIRY RESULTS

1st place for Dairy Chapter Group 
3rd place for Chapter Clean Barn! 


Madelyn Ralls:
FFA Reserve Jersey Replacement Heifer

Reese Oliveira:
Bulls Reserve Supreme Champion

Case Dykzeul:
4th place in Intermediate Showmanship

RABBIT RESULTS

Fatima Benitez
3rd place Intermediate Showmanship

Isabella Crutcher 
3rd place Market Meat Pen
7th place Advanced Showmanship

Meilani Duran
4th place Intermediate Showmanship
 






SWINE RESULTS

Rena Ralls:
2nd place Advanced Showmanship
FFA Champion Light Crossbred Market Hog
FFA Grand Champion Market Hog
Debbie De Boer Memorial Award

Morrisa Ralls:
3rd place Advanced Showmanship
FFA Champion Hampshire Market Hog

Brady Word:
7th place Novice Showmanship

SHEEP RESULTS

2nd place in Chapter Group
Blue Team - 4th place Sheep Fitting Contest
Gold Team - 7th place Sheep Fitting Contest


Jillian Alderson 
7th place Advanced Showmanship

Meelaud Taylor
4th place Intermediate Showmanship

Jordynne Gomes
2nd place in Breeding Showmanship
6th place in Intermediate Showmanship

 

Boots & Blue Jeans

FFA Banquet

Throughout the school year WE have many events to participate in. One of our favorite events is the Boots & Blue Jeans Fundraiser that happens in the early autumn. This coming school year's date is September 21, 2024. Please put this on your calendar as WE very much hope that you join us at that time for food, family, friendship, and supporting our department as WE work to give our students the best agricultural education that WE can!

Other events throughout the year are FFA Week as we share the goings on with the rest of our school campus of what WE learn in our agricultural classes and invite everyone to participate in fun activities to highlight the importance of working as a team to achieve our goals. And, at the end of the year, WE have our FFA Banquet to recognize students who have stayed in the program for multiple years, gone above and beyond in their studies, and made a lasting impact in our community through their knowledge and skills in the FFA program.

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About Central Catholic

Faithful to our Catholic Tradition, our mission is to witness to the Gospel while building an educational community that inspires the spiritual, academic and social development of young adults.


Central Catholic Students Are:

Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious