Until I reached middle school, I had no idea how vast the agriculture industry impacted our world. Like many others, I mindlessly used products and ate food that people took time to grow and make. Once I reached high school, I was given the opportunity to join the AG Plant Science Pathway at Sanger High School. The pathway combined my high school and college classes so that I could achieve my high school diploma and AA degree in plant science by the end of my high school career. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made because it opened my eyes to the vast career and learning possibilities in agriculture. During my four years of high school, I have taken classes in animal science, plant science, irrigation, AG business, mechanics, and welding. These classes have had a great impact on me by allowing me to get hands-on experience in different areas in agriculture. The AG business classes I took inspired me to look further into the AG business industry. I have always enjoyed working with numbers, and doing it for an agriculture company seemed quite interesting. So, I looked into job opportunities and found that there are quite a few. Because of this, I wanted to work with something I enjoyed while being a part of the agriculture industry. Outside of school, I have shown dairy goats and dairy market goats with Sanger FFA. I have also been a part of several teams such as the Girls Welding Team, Citrus Judging Team, and Cooperative Marketing Team. These experiences have allowed me to become more knowledgeable and experienced in different parts of agriculture. It has taught me about the animal world, food world, fabrication world, and business sectors of agriculture. As I look to the future, I will be going to Fresno Pacific University with a major in Business. I am excited to learn more about the aspects of running a business and the key components such as marketing and accounting. After receiving my four-year degree, I plan to join an AG business and use my skills there. Not everything in AG is based on farming and creating things. There is a business side to things that keeps the industry going, and because of this, I want to use my business experience to help the agriculture industry continue to thrive. For my community and I, being in the Central Valley, surrounded by agriculture, has helped people, and myself, become more aware of the time and effort so many people put into products we use in our daily lives. If you analyze how food gets from a farm to your table, you will realize there are lots of people and business entities that make it possible. AG provides employment but also daily necessities for us to survive. I look forward to achieving my goals and being a part of the AG industry while making others more aware of the importance agriculture has on our lives.

In California and the United States, prices have skyrocketed in the past 10 years. I remember going grocery shopping with my late grandfather when I was 8 and groceries were a third of the price they are now. As I have gotten older, I realize how much the economy has changed and affected the price of daily necessities. Because of this, there is an abundant need for food in the community of Fresno, California. Fresno, California has a special place in my heart. It is locally rich in agriculture and produce that feeds our nation and the world. However, the increase in population and the decrease in the economy has affected everyone, including producers and consumers. I am not the only one being affected by skyrocketing food prices. Many people with more financial need than I are also suffering. Due to this problem, I felt motivated to help others in my community by volunteering at a Central California Food Bank site at a small local church. Today, the food bank I volunteer at feeds over 300 families each month. I have helped the organization grow and find new ways to reach other people. Along with donating food, our organization has added a place to pick up donated clothing, free Bibles, and kid packets with Bible stories for them to learn and be entertained. However, my work here is not done. Although the increased need for food is a saddening problem, I will be expanding my efforts by finding ways to connect with others in the community and tell them about what our organization can do to benefit them. I also plan on getting to know some of the people I am serving. Yes, they are people who need help, but they are also humans who need interactions and kindness from others in the community. I want to be able to work towards being a kinder and more compassionate person and I will do that by feeding others, physically and emotionally.