Change Makers Summit

On July 19, five members of the Elk Grove FFA attended the first ever Change Makers Summit conference in Fresno, California. Lane Burget, Presley Clement, Madilyn Fiksdal, Britt Shulleeta, and Hayley Watson visited the campus of Fresno State as upcoming seniors at Elk Grove High School. The students worked with professionals in various fields of the agriculture industry to explore potential paths for themselves and reflect on their journeys throughout the FFA program. Activities offered to “change makers'' included sessions on campus that assisted attendees to answer the following questions; “Why FFA?”, “Why or why not agriculture?”, and “Why you?”

In addition to the sessions, the Elk Grove FFA chose to take a tour of the Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery. These dairy professionals showed our students the value of hard work and a dream, and allowed for brand new opportunities to our members. Alongside spoon feeding chickens and tasting goat cheese, the operation allowed our chapter to tour the milking facility which milks thirty goats daily. The process of making the finished product, a delicious line of unique goat cheeses, was also shown.

Returning home, these skills will be put to use in the coming season of activities. On August 1, 2023, Elk Grove FFA will be hosting a back to school kick off with our annual summer barbecue! All members, incoming or current, are encouraged to attend, and gain a head start on the 23-24 school year. With that being said, the Elk Grove FFA is extremely proud to have attended the pilot conference and hopes to continue “change making” back home in Elk Grove.