California: Year of Advocacy

Agriculture continues to amaze me.

December 2 through the 6, our team, Mr. Josh Bledsoe (National FFA Staff), and past national FFA officer, James Garner, toured the west coast state of California. Our goal was to get a feel for the diverse, exciting agricultural industry. After soaking in limitless knowledge and practices, we would be prepared for our year of advocacy.

In "The Golden State," we visited a number of operations, people, and attractions, including: Harris Beef Feedlot and Processing Plant, World Wide Sires, Full Belly Farms, Costa Farms, Sunkist Packing, Monrovia Nurseries, Bill Ferry Ranches, the California FFA Center and state FFA officers, the Galt FFA Chapter, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. Amongst these were artichokes, oranges, cattle, organic foods, hogs, chickens, flowers, and cauliflower. We even visited Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office. One of my favorite days, however, dealt specifically with dairy and beef cattle.

Harris Ranch Beef Company ranks among the top ten largest feedlots in the United States. We spent the morning driving to see the cattle, wash station, and feed mixers, and we still didn't see it all! Here are some seriously staggering statistics:
275,000 - cattle through the feedlot annually
122,000 - record head count April 2007
1,300 - head count in largest pen
700 - acreage specific to feedlot
230 - employees
75 - partners in CA
4 - inches (high end) of total yearly precipitation
15 - mileage of feed bunk
5 - mileage of perimeter chain-link fencing
4,000 - pounds of feed produced per minute
23,000 - acres of cropland
32 - different crops grown on that land
40,000,000 - dollars needed to pay feed bill each year

Another cattle-related company we visited was World Wide Sires. Select Sires and Advanced Genetics are two divisions of this semen company which spans in sales to 70 countries. Getting the facts on which countries prefer certain breeds and what is new in the market was intriguing, and their organization's philosophy is remarkable. Essentially, they discussed agriculture being an easy way to make friends and form bonds globally because everyone needs agriculture, and that as long as their company has integrity, they cannot go wrong.

While we were discussing the industry with CEO, John Schouten and Area Director of Marketing and past state FFA officer, Brian Albertoni, a surprise visitor gave a few inspirational remarks. President of the United States Holstein Association, Doug Maddox, stated, "You're working with probably the greatest organization that young people can belong to." Wow!

Those were only two of the many experiences that December week in California. Experiences were amazing, but they went deeply beyond produce leaves, business cards and California sights. Discussing agricultural issues and advancements each day, I realized how much there is to be learned concerning our food, fiber, and natural resources industries. The opportunities in agriculture directly reflect those in the National FFA Organization.

FFA is students, livestock, land, and equipment; it's science, business, and technology. FFA is preparing students with transferrable skills necessary for putting classroom agricultural instruction into real life situations. Agricultural education teaches how to select and develop the right minds and bodies to sustain the next generation. Students learn how to create, select, and evaluate the right type of bag that will get produce from California to New York at the same quality and freshness as the California locals get it. We also are beginning to understand the logistical analysis of keeping semis full and on track in order to get fresh food on shelves. Agricultural education and FFA are together empowering young people with the passion and knowledge to go forth and feed the world.

That west coast trip was one of the most eye-opening weeks I have yet to experience. The industry continues to amaze me! While this southern Indiana boy pondered the differences in agriculture between states, the men and women share the exact same passion. Whether you are in California or your own state, keep your eyes open. Weathermen, scientists, environmentalists, researchers, packers, businessmen, parents, leaders, community advocates, accountants, salesmen, consultants, food processors, and risk-takers: these are our American agriculturalist.

(Check out Zach's blog for following travels in California or other national officer blogs for other trip information...)