Mederos grew up on a dairy and diversified farm just four miles from Tulare. He graduated from Tulare Western High School, College of the Sequoias and Cal Poly. He returned to the family dairy after graduating college and became a partner in P & M Farms with his father, uncle and cousin. Later he was the owner of a dairy and farm with his cousin Larry Pires for over 15 years operating under the business name of Pires and Mederos Dairy. In 1996, Mederos branched off on his own and began farming with his wife Leslie as Doug Les Farms.

Today Mederos farms over 1,000 acres, which includes land he owns, leases, and custom farms for others. He primarily farms cotton, beans, alfalfa, corn, almonds and pistachios.

Mederos has a long and distinguished record of community service and leadership. He is currently president of the Oak Valley School Board, which he was elected to serve on as a trustee in 1999. For over 20 years he has been a board member of the Mid Valley Cotton Growers. He is a past director and current member in the Tulare County Cabrillo Civic Club. He has also been involved in youth sports for many years, and served as an assistant coach to the TWHS boys and girls golf teams.

Mederos has been involved with the Tulare Softball Association and Tulare Little League, as well as the TWHS Volleyball team and Soccer club. In addition he has been a proud sponsor of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness here in Tulare County.

Mederos and his wife, Leslie, have three children, Jared, Tyler, and Madison. He has been a lifelong resident of Tulare and a proud local leader and civic member of the community.

Tickets are available at Garton Tractor, Machado Hay, and Rabobank in Tulare. For information contact Celeste Moore, event chair at (559) 686-5854.

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Strathmore’s Ag Department has growing Floral and Ornamental Horticulture (OH) departments. We are currently in the process of building three 40 x 60-foot greenhouses, an aquaponics unit, and our 40-foot long CropBox.

We are hoping to have all of the buildings up and running in the next few months on the 12 acres of land, Strathmore High School purchased last year.

Aquaponics is the marriage of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system.

The fish waste provides an organic food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water the fish live in.

A CropBox is pretty much a farm within a shipping container. A CropBox has the benefit of growing many different crops where you can monitor and maintain everything, without happening to worry about pests, or horrible weather.

It helps students observe how each crop grows and teaches them how to maintain and care for the crop. CropBox is a part of Williamson Greenhouses in North Carolina. According to the company website, a CropBox uses “90% less water than conventional and greenhouse cultivation.”

Our OH Department helps maintain our greenhouses, and produces vegetables for our Farmers Market. They also grow flowers for our Floral Department. Strathmore High has always had an OH Department, but over the last few years there has been a lower interest in the classes.

So, this year our advisors are really making it a main focus and trying to improve the department by giving it more appeal.

There are now two classes of OH with 30 students in each class. Students must be of sophomore status to enroll in OH, and may take the class more than once.

Our Floral Department use flowers grown by OH, to create arrangements for our Farmers Market.

They also have a monthly subscription for arrangements. This class teaches students the skills it takes to be a floral designer.

Currently we have a total of 230 students in our Floral and OH classes.

On the newly 12 acres purchased for the Ag Farm, approximately six acres will be dedicated to growing lemons, said FFA Advisor John Akin.

Plans are for a new well to be dug on the land soon. The school plans on planting Chardonnay grapes, with a lot of room for fresh vegetables.

There is plenty of room for more animal project pens including chickens, swine and lambs. The department plans on purchasing breeding animals in the future.

“This is the stuff you want kids involved in,” Akin said.

“The goal is to pay our own way,” he added.

The department hopes to hold regular Farmers Markets with fresh produce, eggs, plants and floral arrangements available on a routine basis. During the holidays there could be flowers, wreaths, candles and other craft-related items available.

It helps, Akin said, that the school has a lot support.

“The superintendent is super positive,” he said. “He’s really onboard for us.”

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Pups are brought to the FFA members via a puppy truck or the members can travel to the campus to pick up their puppy. The students are responsible for the puppies 24/7 and are charged with introducing their puppies to as many different life situations as possible. Early on the puppies are taught their names, work on housebreaking and learn how to walk on a loose leash. Positive reinforcement techniques are taught to the FFA students, with these techniques being used throughout the socialization and raising period.

Starting at an early age puppy socialization experiences include, but are not limited to, going to school, shopping, going to movies, going to restaurants, concerts, plays, meetings, riding public transportation – any activity that a visually-impaired person may encounter in their day to day routine or life. FFA members raising the pups have no idea what the life style of the dog’s future partner may be, so it is very important that the pups have as many different life experiences as possible.

Puppies at Lemoore FFA go to school daily with their puppy raisers. Older dogs accompany their raisers to classes, while younger pups stay in Ms. Hearn’s classroom for doggy day care. If a FFA student raiser has done their job well, when the dog is recalled to the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in San Rafael, or Boring, Oregon at the age of 14-16 months, the actual guide dog training can be completed by a licensed guide dog trainer in three to six months.

At the end of the formal training period, the dog is placed with a blind person, who spends the next two weeks at one of the two Guide Dog campuses learning to work with his or her new partner. Upon completion of the two-week training period by the blind student and their new dog, there is a graduation ceremony, where the FFA member and their family are invited to the campus for the graduation ceremony to be reunited with the pup they raised and meet the dog’s new life partner.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is a non-profit organization that does not receive any governmental funding and provides their dogs free of charge (this includes training, veterinary costs and travel to the campus for training) to the blind individual. This is a non-paid, strictly volunteer project, done by the FFA members. The FFA Guide Dog Puppy Raising Project started at Lemoore High School in 1989. Lemoore FFA students brought national attention to the project and it was finally recognized as an FFA SAE project by the National FFA Association two years ago.

Lemoore FFA students are in the process of starting new puppies for several other FFA chapters throughout the Valley. Since the inception of the program at Lemoore High School, there are more than 250 FFA students in 10 Western states raising Guide Dog puppies as FFA projects. For more information about Guide Dogs for the Blind, go to www.guidedogs.com.

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Over the past couple years at Monache (High School), we are proud of the growth and expansion of our school farm. The farm has come to support a swine breeding enterprise, vegetable plot, and a poultry egg layer enterprise, additions to the swine facility, as well a new sheep building to house market lambs for the Porterville Fair. Plans are in the works to put in a brand new greenhouse for the Ornamental Horticulture department.

All these different programs are almost exclusively managed and run by the students of the Monache FFA Chapter. With a membership of over 400 high school students led by the officer team, three advisors and a great FFA Booster and Ag Advisory Board, the Monache FFA Chapter is proud of the success of its members.

The biggest improvement on the farm is the cultivation of the vegetable plot. A couple of years ago there was around an acre of land that just sat and grew weeds. Starting in the 2015-2016 school year. Monache FFA started planting, growing and selling vegetables grown right on the farm. Using drip irrigation lines along with the row cropping style of farming we have succeeded in turning this acre of unused land into a cornucopia of beautiful organically grown vegetables. The variety of vegetables includes multiple cauliflower specialty varieties, cabbage and broccoli.

Students and advisors are excited about the reconstruction of the greenhouse. The plans are in the works to install a brand new facility. Currently, the Ornamental Horticulture facility is used to propagate flowers, plants, succulents and citrus trees for the various classes on campus. The students also enjoy the newly-implemented Floral Design class, where students have created arrangements for various community events, as well as campus faculty.

Another improvement to the farm is the breeding program for the swine project. In the past two years there have been two litters of piglets. This year the students were able to help with the farrowing of the piglets and castration process. Next year, the FFA chapter is hoping to improve to having three sows farrow instead of just one.

In addition to improving the pig program, the poultry and sheep departments have also made great improvements. Before, sheep program students could not keep their sheep on campus, but with the construction of a new barn they are now able to keep them here. The chicken barn although not new, had an inside renovation and added a layer project to provide the school’s Culinary Arts program with eggs for their classes.

These improvements have made Monache FFA’s school farm one of the best in the county, especially for the small space it’s allotted.

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Central Valley Christian

Central Valley Christian is in its first year of the FFA Program. Students have been involved in variety of local social and fundraising events, and their first competitive events have been in the public speaking realm. The Citrus Judging Team has been active in competition, and the Farm Power & Machinery, Livestock Judging, Dairy Judging and Dairy Products teams are all gearing up for competitions this spring.

They are keeping it “low key” for FFA Week this year, as they ease their way into the FFA World. Plans for the week include a fundraiser event, Kiss the Cow. How it works – the teacher on campus that has the most money in their milk jar at the end of the week, has to kiss the cow. The plan is to give part of the proceeds to charity. In addition to Kiss the Cow, the school will have an Ag Fact read over the morning announcements, each day. They will also be holding Dress-Up Days to earn points, and the winning class receives a prize.

Dinuba

The Dinuba FFA has been active in many ways so far this year. They have had competitions in Cotton Judging and Vine Pruning. They are preparing for Speech, Veterinary Science, Nursery Landscape and Floral contests. This FFA Chapter also hosts a pet food drive for The Cat House on the Kings. Any donations are welcome! This project is student driven from the Ag Leadership class. Other projects coming from the class include an Autism Awareness Day and celebration, while others are helping out at a homeless shelter by helping hand out food.

The group continues to train Guide Dogs for the Blind and is currently training three dogs. Students learn to train dogs for future owners, and are with their dog 24/7. The Veterinary Science class members have the chance to learn to care for these dogs by bathing, brushing teeth, applying parasitic applications, grooming and cleaning their ears. They currently have a dog that has gone through all her training and will be graduating and given to a new owner. Dinuba FFA’s Madasen Gutierrez will with sadness and excitement go to this ceremony and watch a person in need of a dog receive her dog, Gazele.

El Diamante

Since 1947, National FFA week has been celebrated throughout schools, including Visalia’s very own El Diamante FFA chapter.

“It’s a great way to get our members involved and give peers a little sneak peak of some of the fun we have to offer as FFA members,” said Jenna Toor, chapter secretary.

This chapter hopes to bring awareness to FFA and agriculture throughout the school’s student body during FFA Week by hosting various lunchtime activities including Potato Sack races, a Corn Hole competition and Kick Ball tournament. Agriculture-themed dress-up days, and a feature in the school’s weekly video production of EdHews, will be offered.

One of their most iconic activities they have done in the past is their Kiss a Cow fundraiser. One of our chapter members brings a cow, or steer, they plan to show in the Tulare County Fair, and volunteer teachers are lined up, as well as students, so they can give the cow a little smooch!

“One of our biggest goals within our chapter, which applies throughout FFA, is promoting agriculture,” Toor said. “As FFA Week approaches, we plan to use this as an opportunity to excite and educate our members about the importance of agricultural education and to open their eyes to the influence of the industry, and how it affects their daily lives as humans and citizens of the Central Valley. We are constantly encouraging our members to take what they learn in the classroom, and whether it be educating another or participating in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), appreciate what agriculture has to offer.”

Exeter

The focus for the Exeter Chapter is to have a complete agriculture education program that consists of the three circles: FFA, classroom and SAE. On the farm, Exeter FFA has a horticulture unit, livestock units and a full agriculture mechanics shop. They offer a wide variety of courses to meet the needs of their students. Exeter has 430 FFA members who all have different interests. They offer hands on learning and leadership opportunities for all students.

The Exeter FFA chapter has four days planned packed with fun activities for FFA Week. Some of the activities include a Dodgeball Tournament, a Giant Game of Clumps, a Staff Appreciation Lunch, and their annual Bed Races. A highlight of the week is the Bed Race activity. It consists of carts made out of bed frames, assembled by past agriculture mechanics classes that are pushed by a team of students around a track on campus. The teacher team is always the one to beat! Exeter FFA is looking forward to this awesome week and providing a special experience its members and students.

Farmersville

The largest focus of the Farmersville FFA chapter is to bring agriculture awareness and promote the countless opportunities within the organization to the students of Farmersville High School. The FFA program at Farmersville High School is growing. With growth, comes an opportunity to educate students about all of the opportunities to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. This year’s goal has been to get students involved in more leadership activities, attend more conferences, to become involved in career development events, and increase student understanding and participation in supervised agriculture experience program.

The Farmersville FFA Chapter has some big plans for FFA Week. Each day there will be a themed dress-up day, as well as a scheduled lunchtime activity. Dress-up days include Animal Day, Western Day, Camouflage Day, and Blue-Gold Day. Some of the exciting lunchtime activities will be performed in the center of campus and will be open to the entire student body. Activities for FFA week are Chubby Chicken (a spin on the popular Chubby Bunny game), a cookie eating contest, Cow Pies (melted chocolate bar guessing game), and an obstacle course. The officer team is hard at work to plan fun activities to bring a positive awareness to FFA at Farmersville High School.

Hanford

Hanford FFA is ready to kick off FFA week on February 20th-24th with a bang! They have multiple lunchtime activities planned for its members, and are looking forward to all student bodies getting involved. Some of the lunchtime activities include Supermarket Sweep, Penny in a Haystack, and a Minute to Win It relay. All games are agriculturally oriented. Supermarket Sweep, for example, helps strengthen the members’ knowledge of California’s top commodities through riddles and a scavenger hunt. FFA week will also consist of school-wide dress up days. These days include Twin Day, Western Day, Blue and Gold Day, and Freedom Friday, which is a patriotic day. Along with these activities Hanford FFA is holding a free lunch time BBQ on each campus throughout the week.

This year Hanford FFA is encouraging their members to “Think Outside the Barn.” They hope through this chapter theme, they will be able to break the stigma behind FFA. Hanford FFA wants their students and school population to know that FFA is much more than farm animals, and farming. It offers leadership opportunities, SAEs outside of animal agriculture, and valuable skills that will benefit students for a lifetime. They are excited to see the chapter grow and continue to help the community through various community service events.

Lemoore

Each year Lemoore FFA conducts an annual Community Pumpkin Patch for preschoolers through third graders, partners with local elementary school classes to implement the Partners in Active Learning (PALS) program, assists with the Kings County Fair cleanup days, conducts canned food drive for local Christian Aid, and provides tour guides for Kings County Farm Day. They have installed a drought tolerant landscape for the City of Lemoore. Lemoore FFA is proud of its more than 25-year history in raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, which developed its recognition as a FFA SAE project by the National FFA Association two years ago.

During FFA Week, Lemoore FFA will host a schoolwide dress up days including The Owl, when students may dress up like their favorite wise-old nerd; The Plow, when students may dress up as a farmer or in Western wear, The Flag, when students are to dress up in patriotic colors, and Blue and Gold Day, FFA colors.

Other Activities throughout the Week include the airing of a promo video with a thank you to staff and others for supporting FFA, a Clue Game with advisors – new clues given out daily to see which advisor did the dastardly deed, and a Kiss the Cow event involving the entire school.

Monache

Monache has about 400 students involved in FFA with three teachers. Some 24 hogs, 10 sheep and a hundred chickens are kept on the campus farm, some of which will be shown at the Porterville Fair in May. The club hosts a Farmers Market on the farm, held on March 4 this year, with student-grown produce and plants available, as well as floral arrangements and other items.

Monache High School FFA has something planned for every day of FFA Week. A Trivia Day will be held in class and a Tailgate party after school. There will be a Teacher Appreciation lunch and a FFA Mini contest on Friday, where students will participate in a variety of Career Development events in each class.

Sequoia High

Sequoia FFA received its charter last year. Its focus is on Natural Resources and Forestry. The program currently works in collaboration with Reedley Junior College to offer a dual enrollment course in Chainsaw Operations, and Sequoia FFA works closely with Sequoia National Park for service learning projects.

Last year, Sequoia FFA won the Western Region Hartzog Award, and had the opportunity to meet the then Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel when she visited the Cesar Chavez Memorial, last October. Through this program, students receive employment and internships with the National Park Service. Sequoia FFA is excited to continue expanding their unique program.

For FFA Week, Sequoia FFA will be having a Logging Sport competition and a Salsa Making contest, in addition to doing community service projects in the National Park.

Strathmore

Strathmore FFA celebrates National FFA Week in many ways. This year, the chapter officers have planned a different lunchtime activity for each day. They also plan to hand out a special treat on each day. All members and non-members are encouraged to get in on the fun. The chapter also puts on its annual Drive Thru Dinner. The money raised will be put toward sending members to the State and National Conventions, and scholarships for seniors. The Drive Thru Dinner will be held on February 23, from 4-6pm at the Strathmore Ag Department Parking Lot.
Strathmore FFA’s strongest and most popular areas are hogs and chickens. But, they also have a growing Floral and Ornamental Horticulture component to their program. They have a Crop Box (indoor hydroponics growing system), several greenhouses, and an aquaponics system going up this year.

A California Ag Curriculum is taught during FFA Week to celebrate and help further knowledge of the importance of California agriculture.

Tulare

Tulare High School Farm is home to the Tulare High School Agriculture Program and Tulare FFA. This is one of the most unique agriculture programs in the United States, due to the fact that its site is separate from the three campuses it serves – Tulare Union High School, Tulare Western High and Mission Oak High School. Additionally, this site is home to the programs 60-acre commercial farming operation and its Land ‘O Lakes affiliated 100 cow dairy. These facilities offer students a truly hands-on experience in agriculture as it prepares students to be college and career ready.

In February, the Tulare High School Agriculture Program celebrates National FFA week differently than others by making it a month-long event. Already under way, Tulare FFA promotes FFA and Agriculture during the entire month of February. Tulare FFA members will visit each of the 14 feeder schools into the Tulare Joint High School District, promoting FFA and agriculture. Also, Tulare FFA will host the Sequoia Sectional FFA Public Speaking Contest, the San Joaquin Regional FFA meeting, the Tulare FFA Blue and Gold Dash, and many of the members of the Tulare FFA chapter are donating many hours of community service in the support of the events and operation of the World Ag Expo – the largest showcase of agriculture in the world. The members of Tulare FFA understand that we all celebrate agriculture each and every day – three times a day, at meal times.

Woodlake

The Woodlake FFA chapter focuses on the success and involvement of its members. It highly encourages members to be active by joining CDE teams, attend sectional and regional activities, and participate in our chapter level leadership and team building. Advisors put in a lot of effort and time to see this chapter succeed. The program has grown in size and score over the past four years, and hopes are to accomplish more by getting others involved.

For FFA Week, the officer team came up with dress-up days and activities to celebrate the mission of FFA. Dress-up Days include: Tuesday is Tuxes and Tiaras, when FFA members will dress in formal business attire, Wednesday is Western Wear (country apparel), Thursday is Tiger Pride Thursday, when members will wear school colors of orange and black for the annual Donkey Basketball game that afternoon, and Friday is FFA Friday where members will wear a lot of National Blue and Corn Gold to represent the colors of FFA.

Activities planned include a Decorated Door competition, in which teachers will decorate their classroom doors with a theme of agriculture and organize their teaching content, so that each teacher can show their students how agriculture relates to their school subject. The officer team will judge the classroom doors and whoever does the best job will receive the award of a pizza party for lunch. Another activity, is a mini CDE field day on campus, where advisors will host different CDE competitions to promote involvement in FFA Competition teams. The annual Donkey Basketball game is held against Exeter FFA. This event will take place on Thursday, February 23, in the Woodlake High School Old Gym facility. Tickets are available at the door. Woodlake FFA plans carefully in order to make their FFA week fun and informational for members and the community.

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