Ag Business Scholars Receive FFA Awards

At the 94th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, SFHC scholars Josh Heupel and Ashleigh Sorensen received the American FFA Degree: “the highest honor awarded to FFA members” according to the National FFA Organization. Less than 1% of FFA members receive this award nationally.

Josh was also one of four finalists for the American Star Farmer Award, which lists recipiency of an American FFA Degree as one of its qualification requirements. This award is given to members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills through self-run agricultural businesses or internship experiences.

You can read about Josh’s agricultural achievements on the National FFA Organization’s website here.

[Excerpt] “Since my freshman year of high school, I’ve been designing and manufacturing different mechanics projects and farm implements for our family farm and for myself,” he said. “I’ve been able to design, manufacture, patent and create new implements that are helping to change the farming industry, especially here in California.”

After he returned home from Indianapolis, The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology conducted an interview with Josh regarding his agricultural experiences at Fresno State. You can read it here.

[Excerpt] “My mom and dad both graduated from Fresno State. My dad, Scott, graduated with a degree in Agricultural Business and a minor in Plant Science. He is now a self-taught farmer with his brother, my uncle Keith, another Fresno State graduate. They founded Heupel Brothers Farms, and grow almonds and walnuts. My mom, Jackie, graduated from Fresno State with her degree in liberal studies and got her teaching credential. She has been a fifth-grade teacher for over 25 years. Additionally, my grandfather, Ken Heupel, was a professor at Fresno State since 1999, and recently retired. As you can tell, we are a die-hard Fresno State family.”

Congratulations Josh and Ashleigh!