Hughson FFA

Hughson FFA students reflect on National FFA Convention

October 29, 2026

This month, eight students from Hughson High School FFA made their way to Indianapolis, home of the National FFA Convention & Expo. With advisors Kelly Larson and Brett Baker, the students flew out at 5:40 a.m. on Tuesday and arrived at 2:30 p.m. The schedule was packed as they toured different parts of the agriculture industry, attended workshops, visited colleges at the Career Fair, and networked with other FFA members from across the United States. This year, tours included Hunter's Honey Farm, Churchill Downs – Home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger, Huber's Farm, Trader's Point Dairy, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Before heading out, Larson said, “Students are really excited for Churchill Downs, where they will get to see actual racehorses on the track for practice. They are also looking forward to visiting the vast Agricultural colleges at the Career Expo.”

And she was right. For Peyton Medieros, this was her favorite tour. “I loved to see the horses, and I loved to go through the museum and race the mechanical horses against my friends. Something that I learned that I will never forget was the ways the horses get trained.”

Lillian Hall has enjoyed horses ever since she was little, growing up with horseback riding and watching the Kentucky Derby as a family, and so it came as no surprise that Churchill Downs was a favorite for her as well.

Along with the expos and tours, students had the opportunity to explore the city, bond, and make lasting memories. Medieros said they explored Indianapolis and Kentucky, saw different places, visited the FFA mall, and shopped. “Another best part was making clips late at night in the hotel room with Janessa. I totally would recommend attending National Convention; it’s a great way to make new memories and meet people from across the world.”

For Addison Damas, the trip afforded an opportunity to “make amazing memories with amazing people.” She said she would recommend it to any FFA member. “It’s a great experience, and you get to make new friends and meet some amazing people.”

Through the convention, Hughson FFA students met FFA members from across the nation. This aspect is something that will stay with Hall. She said, “What I do not want to forget is how much of a family FFA is, and that was shown to me at National Convention. My favorite part of National Convention was making friends with other people from different states and getting to learn new things about the colleges that were there.”

Each Hughson High student attending the 2026 Convention has been involved with FFA through showing animals and/or on a livestock judging team. The group returned to California on Friday, Oct. 23 at 11:55 p.m.

Hughson FFA named Ag Horticulture Sweepstakes Winner for Stanislaus County Fair

July 21, 2026

For another year, Hughson FFA students return from the Stanislaus County Fair loaded with awards, including being named the Ag Horticulture Sweepstakes Winner and Reserve Champion Chapter Group in Swine. Sunday morning’s special award ceremony also awarded Chloe Cooper with Outstanding Ag Horticulture Exhibit, Lance Curry with the Debbie DeBoer Trophy, awarded to the Top Swine Showman and Market Hog exhibitor, and the Beef Merit Award Recipient to Rowin Reisz.

This year, from Hughson FFA, 24 students raised and entered 27 pigs, 11 students entered sheep projects, two students showed their replacement heifers, and 12 students entered their animals in market beef.

“These students have spent countless hours since last fall caring for and working with their animals to get them ready for this next week,” Brett Baker said.

Students like Jocelyn Qarqat, who raised a replacement heifer, reminds herself during the challenging moments, “I’m doing this because I love it.”

The work is more than a school project or a way to earn money. Like many students, Qarqat comes to FFA with farming roots in her family. Her grandfather, Ed Nunes, ran a dairy in Escalon throughout Qarqat’s life. “He’s the one who's shown me what hard work truly means, and I want to get in on this in memory of him,” Qarqat said. Nunes passed away a year ago.

On July 10, Qarqat was awarded Champion FFA Intermediate Showman.

Chloe Cooper, who showed a market hog this year, had to replace her first hog after it became sick. She’s learned, “When things get tough, try not to be discouraged. Instead, continue to work hard, put in the time and be confident in your efforts,” she said. “It is important to not take for granted the support around you. When Bing Bong got sick, I had a lot of help from my FFA advisor, Mrs. Larson, and my breeder, W-D Swine Farm, who helped me navigate the challenges.”

FFA also made a strong showing in Ag Mechanics and horticulture.

In previous years, Hughson High School FFA was a major contributor to the horticulture exhibit. With construction happening this summer where the flower garden usually stands, Advisor Kristin Maciel asked students who might have space at home to grow to give it a shot. Many reported how much they enjoyed growing the flowers on their property and learning the vital lesson of how important their attention to their flowers is, without the automated watering system used on the high school grounds.

For those without space at home, the program was able to accommodate about ten students where there had once stood fruit trees on Whitmore Avenue by the school farm. Walnut shells donated by Ronald Martella Farms helped cut down on weeding in the rows, making the project manageable for all involved.

In Ag Mechanics, Hughson High School contributed approximately 35 small projects entered by students in the Agriculture Mechanics Survey class taught by Mr. Cervantes. Students worked on their projects during the school year and entered them to be exhibited at the Stanislaus County Fair.

Hughson High School graduate Ethan Larson, who displayed his 1949 Allis-Chalmers Model B resto-mod, completely restored with custom modifications, said that through the process, he learned, “patience and persistence are just as important as mechanical skills. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, do research, and keep trying when something doesn’t work the first time.” Larson estimates he has put in over 760 hours into the restoration, which involved disassembling the tractor down to the transmission.

The days were long and hot and busy during the Stanislaus County Fair, but as with other competitors, Qarqat, Larson, Cooper, and their classmates showed their animals and projects with a confidence and community spirit that made Hughson proud.

Hughson FFA Results

Sheep

Peyton Silveira was second in her class, landing her in the final drive for middle weights

Hughson FFA placed 4th in sheep chapter group.

Lily Hall: 7th Overall Novice Showman

Jack Reid: 4th Overall Intermediate Showman

Sophia Spears: 3rd Overall Intermediate Showman

Peyton Silveira: 5th Overall Advanced Showman

Three of our kids placed 1st in the Sheep Fitting Contest!

Swine

Major wins for Hughson FFA were the Reserve FFA Champion and Showmanship Results

Hughson FFA was the Reserve Champion Chapter Group

Lance Curry: FFA Champion AOB, FFA Reserve Grand Champion, Advanced FFA Showmanship Grand Champion

Mason Curry: FFA Reserve Champion Duroc, Intermediate FFA Showmanship Champion

Charles Golding: 5th Place Novice FFA Showmanship

Cooper Bowerman: 2nd Place Intermediate FFA Showmanship

Hughson FFA Market Beef

Hughson FFA: 3rd Overall Chapter Group for Market Beef.

Travis Harkrader: 1st Overall Novice Showmanship

Dakota Couch: 3rd Overall Advanced Showmanship

Channing Coonce: 9th Overall Advanced Showmanship

Dairy

Aiden Damas: FFA Reserve Champion Replacement Heifer

Jocelyn Qarqat: Champion Intermediate Showman

Horticulture

Payton Medeiros: Best in Show Tomatoes

Chloe Cooper: Best in Show Cut Flowers

Special Awards

Chloe Cooper- Outstanding Ag Horticulture Exhibit

Hughson FFA - Ag Horticulture Sweepstakes Winner

Lance Curry- Debbie DeBoer Trophy (Awarded to the Top Swine Showman and Market Hog exhibiter)

Rowin Reisz - Beef Merit Award Recipient

Hughson High School’s Kate Cooper Elected State FFA Vice President

March 27, 2026

Leading into the 2026 California State FFA Conference, Kate Cooper and Grace Curry were among the top 36 California FFA members in the running for state offices. After multiple rounds of interviews and scenarios, the top 12 were announced. Cooper was among them.

On March 21, the State Conference began. This year, the Conference took place in Ontario, California. Eight Hughson FFA members, with Cooper and Curry, joined 8,000 other members from across the state for Leadership Development Opportunities, award recognition for the hard work and dedication of students and stakeholders who engage in Supervised Agricultural Experience Projects year-round, and a Career and College Expo.

“All of these opportunities allowed students to immerse themselves in all that FFA has to offer. When we return from these types of trips, we recognize a new energy amongst the students as they work to finish out the school year on a strong note. The CA State FFA Leadership conference does so much for our students each year,” FFA Advisor Brett Baker said.

According to Cooper, the State Officer process has a reputation for being “intimidating and intense,” but because the group of candidates knew how to keep things lighthearted, the experience was positive. “I will never forget sitting in the holding room right before the top 12 announcement, all of the candidates were sitting around a table, swaying back and forth, singing ‘Landslide’ by Fleetwood Mac. This moment encapsulates the process for me as it demonstrated that we were all there for the right reasons and supported each other regardless of the result,” Cooper said.

By March 23, Cooper was one of two finalists for Vice President. With energy and earnestness, she answered two questions about the role of the state officer, maintaining eye contact with the interviewer and smiling as she looked around at the audience while speaking about the importance of communication and planning.

Cooper said she felt prepared, but anxious. “After spending almost four years in this organization, I developed a passion for FFA and a deep drive to serve. This made me feel prepared as I knew I had been involved in everything I could and knew that I would be authentically myself, no matter what. My love for California FFA has fueled me as I embarked on this journey, but it has also heightened the stakes because I truly care so much.”

On March 24, the 2026-2027 California FFA State Officer team was announced: President Jaycee Salas from Atascadero FFA, Vice President Kate Cooper from Hughson FFA, Secretary Joseph Schohr from Gridley FFA, Treasurer Caleb Najera from Hanford FFA, Reporter Faith Aleila Escoto from Bear River FFA, and Sentinel Garrett Wunschel from Sutter Creek FFA.

Hearing the announcement, Cooper was elated. “When waiting for the announcement, being surrounded by my best friends, I felt so much support and genuine love for the people around me,” she said. “After hearing my name get called and rushing to the stage, I felt beyond blessed and insanely excited for the journey ahead. This next year will be the adventure of a lifetime!”

More than an accomplishment, Cooper described the honor as an opportunity. “I know my job did not end when I received the California Association jacket; it is what I do wearing that jacket now that will make a lasting impact. This opportunity is transformative. I am so grateful that California FFA entrusted me to serve in this position, and I will spend every moment of the next year intentionally serving and giving back to the organization that provided me a passion and a purpose.”

As Vice President, Cooper will represent the over 108,000 California FFA members next year. Her duties will require her to travel across the state, delivering student workshops, leading conferences, and building connections to advocate for agriculture and FFA in order to inspire and lead her peers. To do this, officers delay college for a year to serve their term, basing their operations at the California FFA Center in Galt.

“I would like to say how dedicated and powerful Grace and Kate are,” Baker said, looking back at the Conference. “They both represented the community of Hughson with a great sense of pride and professionalism. I am extremely proud of them for all they have accomplished over the past four years.”

Baker also thanked the Hughson Agriculture Boosters for its financial support of the program, “Each year, this group pledges financial support to our students to make this trip possible.”

Mark Your Calendars for the Hughson FFA Plant Sale, March 27 and 28

March 25, 2026

The annual Hughson FFA Plant Sale will be on Friday, March 27, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale will include a variety of vegetables, bedding plants, and house plants to sell at prices that can’t be beat.

Teacher Madison Flake is working behind the scenes, coordinating with students from multiple classes to make it happen. Flake approached the Plant Science class to work as Plant Sale Managers and help with advertising, sign-making, plant cleanup, transplanting, weeding, watering, labeling, checking inventory, and pricing.

Overall, 18 students signed up to help. With a to-do list in hand, using class time and extra-curricular time, they water, tend and pot the young plants, getting them ready for the sale. Plant Science is a Capstone Course for the Horticulture Pathway in Hughson’s Ag Program.

Horticulture classes have also helped with planting seeds and plugs and propagating plants that will be offered in this year's sale. The Floral, Farm to Fork, Plant Science, and Landscape classes all helped with planting.

Each year, proceeds from the sale feed back into Hughson FFA to help cover costs for FFA events, supplies, and anything to support the FFA membership. With an additional day to sell plants, Flake said, “We are excited about getting more community members to come check it out!”

2026 Plants for Sale

Bedding Plants:

Purple Pansies 4 inch pot $2
English Lavender 4 inch pot $2
Red & Orange Calibrocha 4 inch pot $3
Cannon Ball, Queen of Hearts, Serafina Red Deep Petunia 6 packs $4
Colosseum Rose Mix Pansies 6 packs $4
Celiosa 6 packs $6
Veronica Longifolia Perennials 4 inch pot $5
Ageratum Perennial 5.5 inch pot $6
Fuschia 5.5 inch pot with hangers $5
Coleus 5.5 inch pot $4
Coleus 8 inch pots $6

Veggies

All 4 inch Veggie pots $2

Tomatoes - Cherry, Roma, Brandywine, Better Boy Hybrids, Bodacious Hybrid
Cucumber - Muncher, Pickling, Burpless (limited amount available)
Squash - Spaghetti, Butternut (limited amount available)

Canning Tomatoes (large size) tall 4 inch pots & #1 containers $5

Fruit

Honey Rock & Hales Best Cantaloupe $2

Trees

Fruit Trees $10

Shade Trees $20

Apple
Apricot
Cherry
Nectarine
Peach
Santa Rosa Plum
Pluot
Persimmon
Jacquemontii Birch
European White Birch
Lombardy Poplar

House Plants:

Dr. Janet 4 inch pot $8
Spider Plants 3 or 4 inch pot $8

Bowls

Dr. Janet 4 inch pot $8
Spider Plants 3 or 4 inch pot $8