Meet Our 2026 Featured Merit Recipient:
David Hurtado | Lone Pine 4H Chico, CA
Meet David Hurtado, a Senior at Pleasant Valley High School and active member of the Lone Pine 4H, located in Chico, CA. He is a 2026 Harvest of Merit Award Recipient and an active apiarist.
David conducted a research project testing essential oil–based pesticides for controlling Varroa mites in honey bee colonies. He evaluated whether essential oils can serve as a safer alternative to synthetic treatments, which can be harmful to both bees and the environment. He found that an essential oil mixture of lemon, orange, sage, and wintergreen can act as an effective pesticide against Varroa Mites.
In partnership with the GSAF General Fund, David’s project is sponsored by Olivares Honey Bees.
2026 Merit Recipients
Alley Long-Buhach Colony FFA
Plant Science: $750 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Eythan Browning-Romona FFA
Ag Mechanics Project: $1,000 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
JUDE HOSkinson-Fullerton Union FFA
Small Stock - Laying Hens $1,000 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Cesar garcia-Firebaugh FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Allison Polk-Ponderosa FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Giselle De Leon-Santa Maria FFA
Market Lamb Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by AgWest Farm Credit
Nayeli Valencia-Potter Valley FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Alisa Lopez Huertas-Pioneer Valley FFA
Market Lamb Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Anabel Gutierrez-Pioneer Valley FFA
Market Lamb Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Addisyn Bolles-Camarillo FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Aiden White-Bret Harte FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Abbygail Valazquez-Pioneer Valley FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund
Owen Lessard-Sebastapol FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Atlas Vineyard Management
Hector Villada-Bakersfield West FFA
Ag Mechanics Project: $1,000 Awarded
Sponsored by Tom Madden
Jacob Cornish-Turlock FFA
Tractor Restoration Project: $1,000
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund
Riley Heidman-Turlock Christian FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund
Crystal Torres-Parlier FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund
Tao Trejo-Madera South FFA
Tractor Restoration Project: $1,000 Awarded
Sponsored by Angell Family Farms
Jacob Zuniga-Saint Helena FFA
Plant/Crop Science Project: $1,000 Awarded
Sponsored by Wright Family Farms
Choronie Ouk-Firebuagh FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Stan and Sharon Snyder
David Hurtado-Lone Pine 4h
Apiary Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Olivarez Honey Bees
Abigail Contreras-Grace Davis FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Rhys Ludlow Memorial Fund
Preslee Cervantes-River Valley FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the Rhys Ludlow Memorial Fund
Ariana Flores-Los Banos FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by GSAF Directors in Memory of Guy Gary
BrySE Kinerson-River Valley FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by AgWest Farm Credit
Sheyla Badena-Santa Paula FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by AgWest Farm Credit
Mariely Ayayla-Brawley FFA
Small Stock - Rabbits: $750 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Farmers Warehouse
Anne Cabrales-Fillmore FFA
Small Stock - Rabbits: $750 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Farmers Warehouse
Luke Pearson-Maxwell FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Farmers Warehouse
Melissa Ramos-Pioneer Valley FFA
Market Lamb Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Farmers Warehouse
Dakota Elliott-Golden West FFA
Market Goat Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Farmers Warehouse
Pablo Pena Caro-West FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by the GSAF General Fund + Farmers Warehouse
Francisco Sanchez-Delgado-Greenfield FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Jorge Uribe-Gonzales FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Gracie Mata-Greenfield FFA
Market Lamb Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Julieta Rodriguez-Guzman-Gonzales FFA
Market Lamb Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Vanessa Ibarra-Gonzales FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Maria Rivera-Gonzales FFA
Market Beef Project: $2,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Ximena Santos-Gonzales FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Aimee Venegas-Coast Union FFA
Market Hog Project: $1,500 Awarded
Sponsored by Zada Fresh Farms
Meet Aiden White, an active member of the Bret Harte FFA. At 16, Aiden is already working toward his dream of owning a cattle ranch. Whether he’s hunting, fishing, or in the barn, his work ethic is top-tier. He’s raised and exhibited a black-and-white-faced steer for the show ring!
Aiden’s project is proudly sponsored by the Heidi Beljean Memorial Fund, honoring Heidi’s legacy by supporting dedicated youth with a true passion for agriculture.