The Harvest of Merit Award Program provides funding and other in-kind support to assist recipients. Assistance may include but is not limited to: the purchase, care, and feeding of animals; construction and related costs and development of agricultural mechanic and/or ag technology projects; costs related to plant and crop science programs and; costs related to the successful pursuit of experiences in culinary/food science endeavors.
The Foundations’ goal is to ensure through Merit recognition, a rewarding
experience for all recipients and to advance their firsthand ability to understand
why food production and its safe delivery is critical to all California communities.
We encourage the process of critical decision making, skill development,
leadership practices, team building, self-satisfaction, and land-based learning.
The Harvest of Merit Award Program provides funding and other in-kind support
to assist Award recipients for a variety of reasons including but not limited to
essential and unavoidable expenses as well as personal growth and life skill
maturity.
All completed applications, required attachments, documents, and all other listed requirements must be submitted electronically (no exceptions) no later than 11:45 PM on October 15, 2024 to The Golden State Agricultural Foundation.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications and all required documents no later than 24 hours prior to the October 15 deadline to avoid a last-minute rush and to ensure your application is submitted in time.
Projects & Efforts
2024 Merit Recipients
Jazmin Diaz - Gonzales,CA
Gonzales FFA Market Hog Project: Salinas Valley Fair - $1,000 Awarded
Sara Garcia-Farmersville, CA (Sponsor: AGWEST FARM CREDIT)
Farmersville FFA Beef Replacement Heifer Project: Tulare County Fair - $1,500 Awarded
Jeanne Oosterman - Escalon, CA
Ripon Christian FFA Market Lamb Project: San Joaquin Ag Fest - $1,000 Awarded
Holly McCoy - Butte Valley, CA
Durham-Parkview 4-H Dairy Cattle Project: Silver Dollar Fair - $1,500 Awarded
Yesenia Rivas - Sonoma, CA
Sonoma FFA Market Steer Project: Sonoma County Fair - $1,500 Awarded
Stefany Gonzalez - Bakersfield, CA
Golden Valley FFA Breeding Sheep Project: Kern County Fair - $1,000 Awarded
Andrew Gutierrez - Porterville, CA
Monache FFA Market Lamb Project: Porterville Fair - $1,000 Awarded
Nathan Hutchison - Madera, CA
Madera Liberty FFA Poultry Production Project : $750 Awarded
Anthony Preciado-Cabral - Gonzales, CA
Gonzales FFA Market Hog Project: Salinas Valley Fair - $1,000 Awarded
Garrett King - Orangevale, CA
Casa Robles FFA Market Steer Project: Sacramento County Fair - $1,500 Awarded
Ulises Valdez - Gonzales, CA (SPONSOR: Zada Fresh Farms)
Gonzales FFA Market Hog Project: Salinas Valley Fair - $1,000 Awarded
Chris Castro - Greenfield, CA (SPONSOR: Zada Fresh Farms)
Gonzales FFA Market Hog Project: Salinas Valley Fair - $1,000 Awarded
2023 Merit Recipients
Jennifer Rosas, a junior from Gonzales FFA, was given $1000 towards her project, a market lamb she raised, showed, and sold at the Salinas Valley Fair. Jennifer was very committed to her project, and we are happy to have helped her with her project’s expenditures!
Genesis Juarez will be a junior at Farmersville High School in the fall of 2022. Genesis received $1500 towards her dairy heifer replacement project. Golden State Agricultural Foundation is proud to assist Genesis with her ambitious project!
Hernan Robles of Farmersville FFA recently shared a mid-year report about his project. Great job!
Golden State Agricultural Foundation awarded $1000 to Anixia Davila of Gonzales FFA to offset expenses associated with her market goat that she raised, showed, and sold at the Salinas Valley Fair. Anixia, who will be a senior in the fall, is very involved in leadership opportunities provided through FFA, and we are happy to have assisted her through our Harvest of Merit program.
Upcoming sophomore at Templeton High School, Braden Wheeler received a $750 award for use on his tractor restoration project. Braden spent many hours working on his tractor, completing a complex record book, and presenting his efforts during an interview for the JB Dewar Tractor Restoration Education Program at the California Mid-State Fair. We are proud to announce that Braden’s enthusiasm for his project was recognized during the competition, where he received second place! Nice job, Braden!
Jon Chapman was able to purchase a welder generator with the support of the 2023 Merit Award. With this, he has completed projects at his family's farm along with commission projects, including flatbed hay carts.
