The California Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association recently awarded Almond Board of California (ABC) staff Jenny Nicolau and Rebecca Bailey with the Honorary State FFA Degree. Nicolau and Bailey accepted the award at the 91st California FFA Leadership Conference in in Anaheim this spring.
ABC staff Rebecca Bailey (left) and Jenny Nicolau (right) received the Honorary State FFA Degree this spring. Both Bailey and Nicolau participated in FFA throughout their high school careers, and both can speak to the formative experience the program provided them.
“Having been an active member of FFA throughout my high school career, it is an incredible honor to receive this award. FFA is dedicated to promoting premier leadership, personal growth and career success. I can truly attest to this mission as this program helped me grow as a leader and professional, and to come full circle and receive this award from an organization I hold with high regard means so much,” Bailey said.
The Honorary State Degree is the highest award presented to an individual or group of individuals by the California FFA Association, and the degree program aims to recognize those who have rendered outstanding service to California agricultural education and the California FFA Association.
Both Bailey and Nicolau participated in FFA throughout their high school careers, and both can speak to the formative experience the program provided them.
“My experience in the FFA program was second to none!” Nicolau said. “It was the highlight of my high school career and where I truly gained my deep love for California agriculture, leadership and serving our communities.”
“As the FFA creed states in the opening,” quoted Nicolau, “‘I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds — achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.’ The California almond industry has experienced incredible successes from our commitment to excellence, even as we’ve lived through challenging times. I am honored to have received this award and am committed, more than ever, to serving our industry and giving back to the program that truly helped shape who I am today,” Nicolau said.
Since 2016, participants of ABC’s Almond Leadership Program have worked together to raise over $125,000 for the California FFA Foundation’s scholarship program. Fundraising efforts have consisted of silent and live auctions at The Almond Conference, as well as a Golden Ticket fundraiser. The 2019 Leadership class is well on its way to meeting its goal of raising $20,000 for high school students interested in pursuing degrees in agriculture, and this year, for the second year in a row, the class will host a golf tournament fundraiser. And, of course, the whole industry is invited to play and participate! If you’re interested in sponsoring this event or grabbing a few friends and hitting the links, click here to access the event flyer and learn more.
“The Almond Board and the Almond Leadership Program have been incredibly supportive of FFA members. I know a lot of the Leadership participants have worn the blue jacket, so it’s exciting to see them be so intentional about investing in the next generation of ag and giving back,” said Katie Otto, development director for the California FFA Foundation.
If you would like to support future leaders in California agriculture, please consider donating to the California FFA Foundation through the Almond Leadership Program.
