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SPHS Agriculture Science Academy students attended a one day agriculture industry tours to explore future agricultural careers & educational opportunities. Front row (l-r) Citllali Veloz, Gabby Chavez, Camille Hernandez, Anthony Cancino, Siarah Garcia, Bryanna Childs, Angela Hernandez, Randy Hernandez. Back Row (l-r) Anthony Felix, Eliel Mejia, Salvador Perez, Garrett Medley, Josh Tovias, Andrew Nunez, Joseph Valenzuela, Clint Freehauf, Erik Johnson. Front Alex Flores & Gabriel Tovias |
Ventura County Farm Day opens
eyes to many Agriculture Careers
October 02, 2015
Santa Paula News
The SPHS Agriculture Science Academy students attended their first Agriculture Industry Tour of the year to various county wide agriculture businesses. According to Mr. Flores, Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, “the SEEAG sponsored Farm Day provide invaluable agriculture industry tours designed to provide students with several job shadow tours focused on career, educational and informative opportunities in the area of agriculture. There are a number of professional careers awaiting high school students and graduates with degrees in agriculture. When students attend the agriculture industry tours, they learn there is a significant job opportunity and a need for people to go into agriculture.”
Thirty two students attended the Saturday’s agriculture tours. The group was divided into three groups and each group had the opportunity to attend two tours. Thank you to all the parents who helped drive to the various tour sites, we would not have been able to do this without your help. Thank you to the following companies that hosted our students for the day:
* Cal Coast Equipment, Oxnard, CA
* AGQ Labs & Technological Services, Oxnard, CA
* Deardorff’s Family Farms, Oxnard, CA
* Friends Ranch, Ojai, CA
* Diamond D Cattle Ranch, Ventura CA
* Gill’s Onion, Oxnard, CA
* Houweling’s Tomatoes, Camarillo, CA
Students were able to witness firsthand the need for people to consider a career in agriculture. We need people to feed the future generations. 250 years ago, 92% of the population farmed. Today, only about 2% of the population farms. The increasing population, scarcity of water, availability of natural resources, availability of land, and the ability to create new ways to farm are some of the issues we must face.
Thank you everyone who helped volunteer their time to make this educational field trip a success, you made a difference in the lives of students that day! Congratulations to Gus Gunderson for being awarded “The Farmer of the Year” at the Farm Day’s BBQ. Gus graduated from Santa Paula High School, was a student in the agriculture program under the direction of Mr. Gordon Woods and currently serves on the SPHS Agriculture Advisory Board. Since the early 1930’s, the agriculture program has promoted the importance of strong academics, career preparation, personal growth, and leadership development.
