Written By Laura Corea-Hernandez , PIO , Gilroy Unified School District

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MHUSD AND GUSD .

Today , California has the nation ’ s second largest FFA chapter with more than 74,000 members , including an enthusiastic cohort of students in the Gilroy Unified School District . Participating in FFA allows them to pursue a broad range of agricultural career pathways to become future biologists , chemists , veterinarians , engineers and business leaders as well as production farmers .

The FFA motto says it all : “ Learning to Do , Doing to Learn , Earning to Live , Living to Serve .” Along with core subjects , students in the FFA program learn practical career and life skills . One day they might be competing at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds , and the next , networking with their peers at a statewide conference .

One such student is Julianna Figone , a Gilroy High School senior who ’ s looking forward to starting her freshman year in the Agricultural Science program at the University of Idaho this fall . Figone comes from a multi-generational family of agriculturalists . Her grandparents were also in the FFA at Gilroy High School . Through FFA she is pursuing her dream to one day become a Water Resource Attorney representing farmers .

“ I joined the program because of my

family ’ s tradition but I have learned so much more . FFA focuses on an individual student ’ s interests , which has helped me to reach my goals ,” Figone said .

Gilroy High FFA students benefit from a range of education experiences : carrying out in-depth agricultural and horticultural projects , learning organizational leadership , honing public speaking and job interview skills , collaborating on community service projects such as Toys for Tots and Wreaths Across America , assisting with farm clean-ups , and more .

Another FFA enthusiast is Gilroy High freshman Yliana Salcido . She ’ s already finding the agricultural science and biology classes are rewarding , and raising a pig at the school farm is something she thought she would never get a chance to do .

“ I have learned so much and know I ’ m going to learn more with each year ,” Salcido said . “ I am definitely going to stay in the program .”

Teachers Elida Moore and Chelsi Faria lead Gilroy High ’ s FFA Program . Both are Cal Poly San Luis Obispo grads and FFA alums .

With help from the Gilroy FFA Boosters Club , the two teachers are leading FFA students in a revitalization of the campus “ Greenhouse ,” which stood unused for nearly a decade . Fundraising and grant efforts have provided more than $ 80,000 for repairs and improvements . This fall the Greenhouse will reopen , ready to support students ’ horticultural projects , from flowers to crops to landscaping .

Gilroy High School senior , Hannah

Comin , aspires to be an Equine Veterinarian . Grateful to have Moore and Faria as her teachers , she said , “ They really push you out of your comfort zone to what your potential is . They are going to find the right position for you to become involved .”

According to Moore , FFA encourages students in learning , giving back to the community , and career planning and development through its conferences . “ These students really do develop into the wonderful leaders that we have and they will be involved in shaping tomorrow ’ s future .”

Along with traditional agricultural careers , FFA students can also pursue emerging agricultural science , engineering , and technology fields .

Juniors Yelena Perez and Sierra Sanchez said the program has opened doors beyond what they ’ d imagined was possible in terms of careers . Perez aspires to a teaching career in the agricultural field . Her response to students curious about FFA : “ The program will do a lot for you , doors are going to be opened that you didn ’ t know were there .”

Sanchez , who received a Floral Certificate from the program , said her career ambition is to serve in the U . S . Air Force and work with drone technology . “ Joining the FFA program gives you many opportunities through competitions , conferences and scholarships . I have gained a lot of experience and learned so much .”

One thing FFA students share in common is a confidence that they ’ re well prepared to pursue college and career opportunities on the road ahead .