03/26/2025
Congratulations to these six finalists vying for the title of California FFA's ⭐STAR⭐in Agriscience! The winner will be announced at the closing session of the 97th State FFA Leadership Conference on April 6.
Jimena Reynaga-Castro of St. Helena FFA has conducted two agriscience projects. Her first project tested the validity of fungal bio-fertilizers, plant growth, and yields. In her second project, she built upon basic mycology principles learned in her first project, aiming to create a more environmentally-friendly and economic option for ash contaminated water filtration systems after wildfire.
Salyn Meas of El Capitan FFA has completed four agriscience projects. The first project compared the growth rates of swiss chard grown in an aquaponic system and in soil. The second project studied the best combination of blade angle and quantity for a wind turbine. The third project included a blind taste test of organic and non-organic apple juice to see how labels affect the appeal of the juice. The final project took three natural curing agents and compared their effects on the taste, color, and shelf life of bacon.
Grant Shannon is a member Central Valley Christian FFA. He has completed two agriscience fair projects. Through his research, he met and began working for a researcher and assisted with collecting data through a federal grant program. Grant has grown in his own experimental design and plans to continue researching to help collect data on composting.
Adrian Figueroa of Gilroy FFA, has conducted three agriscience projects. The first project analyzed how different age groups understand and view GMOs. His second project examined how various ethnic and occupational groups perceive lab-grown meat and how their backgrounds influence acceptance. His final project explored how the nitrogen cycles of aquatic invertebrates impact watercress growth and water conditions.
Taylor Bogle from Sutter High School FFA, worked on an agriscience project to explore how different feeds affect pig growth, meat quality, and cost. She tested three types of feed and worked in collaboration with a USDA official to evaluate the meat. Taylor also hosted a taste test to assess the pork’s overall flavor.
