Out of more than 360 chapters across California, Santa Maria High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) was ranked No. 1 in the state for 2024.
According to Santa Maria High School FFA Chapter President Kayce Van Horn, students involved in the high school’s FFA chapter build a variety of life and leadership skills through agriculture classes, hands-on activities, and competitions. Van Horn emphasized that she feels honored to say that she’s from Santa Maria FFA, especially since its recognition.
“We worked so hard,” Van Horn said. “All of our ag teachers put in countless hours. They give up their weekends for us, and knowing that our program has grown and my hard work has helped with that is truly an honor.”
Santa Maria High School Agriculture Department Chair Mark Powell, a former member of the school’s FFA chapter, now actively works with students in the program. He attributed their recent success to the positive working relationships between the agriculture faculty and students, adding that they’ve been a top 10 chapter for many years.
“Being in that top 10 year after year has to go back to that long-standing tradition of the ag teachers working side by side with the students and the students taking a leadership role and sharing that common value of wanting to attain success and really see the big picture,” Powell said. “We all want each other to succeed. The students like to see the agriculture teachers succeed, and we love to see all of our students succeed.”
For Van Horn, that dedication and supportive environment helped shape her passion for agriculture. She started her FFA journey as a freshman in high school and had no idea where it would take her.
“I knew that I was [in FFA] for a reason, but I didn’t know all the opportunities that I would have and how much growth that I would see throughout the four years,” she explained.
Through FFA, Van Horn has learned about topics related to soil sciences, animal sciences, plant sciences, and more, all while gaining public speaking and other life skills as part of the organization’s career development events. Additionally, her time competing against other chapters across the state taught her the importance of teamwork.
“I don’t think that I would have had the success I’ve had throughout high school or been able to gain the confidence I have without this program,” Van Horn said. “High school is supposed to prepare you for college in the future, and I think that FFA has played a crucial role in preparing me for the future.”
She said that when she first joined Santa Maria High School’s FFA chapter, she didn’t know any other students. Now, she considers the people in her program—including her peers and teachers—family.
“I made friends through this program,” she said. “I have really just found a home, and I think that’s so crucial for a lot of our students. The ag department is a home, and it becomes a home for so many people.”
Van Horn noted that ever since becoming a sophomore, she’s made it her goal to interact with the freshmen in FFA to get them excited about the program and the impacts it can have.
“I think that it’s so important that we are reminded that the future of agriculture is in our program, and if we don’t encourage them to get involved and get out of their comfort zone, then there’s no future in agriculture,” she explained.
Highlight
• The Santa Maria Fire Department is accepting applications for permits to sell Safe and Sane Fireworks for the 2025 season. Eligible nonprofits must have a primary meeting place in Santa Maria or Orcutt, be established for at least two years, and have at least 15 members. Priority will be given to organizations that had a permit in 2024, and remaining permits will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Applications are available at www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/fire-services/fireworks-program and must be received by the Fire Administration at 314 West Cook St., No. 8, by 5 p.m. on March 25.
Staff Writer Emma Montalbano can be reached at emontalbano@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Mar 13-23, 2025.
Start now making every month extra $6000-$22000 or more by just doing an easy online job from home. Last month i have earned and received $19650 from this job by giving this only 3 hrs a a day.Every person can now get this job and start earning online by.
visiting following web HERE____ http://Www.HighProfit1.Com