Crop Circles Issue III | MJC School of Agriculture Spring 2025

Crop Circles

INSIDE

The Modesto Junior College School of Agriculture currently operates seven on-campus animal units, in beef, dairy, equine, poultry, swine, and sheep and goat areas. These livestock units serve as vital learning laboratories, providing students with the opportunity to participate in feed trials and gain hands-on experience in their animal science programs. Our dedicated staff works closely with student interns to ensure a positive and enriching experience for all involved.

Last December, twenty-five students from the MJC School of Agriculture had the opportunity to embark on a one-of-a-kind experience along the Santa Cruz, Calif. coastline.  Over the course of several days, the group toured six diverse agricultural companies,gainingfirst-handinsightintothe innovation and dedication that drives agricultureinCalifornia.

The trip was a blend of both education and exploration, as students spent time enjoying theviewsofthecoastline,whilealsolearning about the high technology machinery and operations that power the industry.  Each stop along the itinerary opened a new window into the broad world of modern agriculture, highlighting everything from sustainabilitytoautomation.

The trip began at Stewart & Jasper, where they explored the inner workings of the almond industry and the production process, from growing to packaging. Afterwards, they continued towards Watsonville, stopping to tour Woods Transplant Services with Mark Woods in Gustine. The day ended with a festive Christmas-themed train ride at the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, complete with Christmas carols, cookies and hot cocoa.

The next morning at Driscoll’s, students explored berry production process of from start to finish, even seeing trial work for new varietals and enjoying samples from their store. Following that, they met with Farm-ng for a lunch full of creating connections, later getting to test out the robotics equipment and watch it in action at Jacobs Farm. Later that night, they dined at a Farm to Fork restaurant,CaliforniaGrill,whilemeetingwith Nelia Alamo of Markon Fresh Produce and AmyThorpeofChurchBrothersFarms.

The final day began bright and early with a trip to Gale’s Bakery to enjoy some fresh pastries and coffee. Following that was a tour of Tanimura & Antle, learning about marketing and sales within the produce industry. The final tour of the trip was with Stout Industrial Technology, to learn about theircutting-edgemachineryandtechnology availablefortractorsandfarmers.

Students described this trip as eye-opening, astheyhadthechancetodivedeeperintoall aspects of agriculture. The connections made during this trip are invaluable, leaving the students with experiences and memories that will continue to shape their futureinagriculture.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

Continuing THE LEGACY

Student Maddie Zweegman sat down with three generations of the Wenger family, Paul, Jake and Jaden, discussing their family’s ag roots in the Central Valley and the legacy of leadership within the Stanislaus County Ag Community. The family are proud alumni and supporters of MJCAgriculture.

PLANTING ROOTS

In 1910, Paul Wenger’s grandparents left Pennsylvania and headed west to California’s Central Valley. In traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fashion, the eldest son had inherited the family farm, while the others ventured out on their own pursuits. Upon arriving in California, the Wenger family began milking 35 cows across two sites. By 1958, Kenneth transitioned from dairy to planting almondsandwalnuts.

Today, Paul and his sons continue the legacy, farming almonds and pecans on 600 acres in Stanislaus County. Paul reflects, “Who knows what we’ll grow in thefuture,butwe’vegotgoodwaterand good soil, so we should be able to compete with anybody as long as we work hard enough and have a little luck onourside.”

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

The Wenger family has always been engaged in more than just farming. Jake’s grandfather was active in the Holstein Breeder’s Association and helped pioneer local fire insurance initiatives in Stanislaus County. Paul followed in those footsteps early, serving as California FFA State Reporter in 1973, getting involved in student government at Cal Poly, and competing inFarmBureauDiscussionMeetsandAg Advocacy programs. He later served as County Farm Bureau President, eventually leading the California Farm BureauasPresidentforeightyears.

Atjust15,JakebecamePaul’sunofficial chauffeur, driving him from event to event, often while Paul prepared speeches or caught up on sleep after late-night spraying. The experience immersed Jake in the world of ag leadership.HerosethroughFFAranksto serve as Section, Region and State President. Furthermore, he chaired the Modesto City Schools Ag Advisory Committee, the State FFA Ag Advisory Committee, and even held public office ontheModestoIrrigationDistrictBoard

of Directors. In 2012, he completed Leadership Farm Bureau and won the statewide Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. Through the California Ag Leadership Program, he traveled the world, gaining broader insight into agriculturaladvocacy.

Jake also served as Stanislaus County Farm Bureau President and now holds a position on the California Farm Bureau’s State Board of Directors. Jake proudly says,

DEFINING LEADERSHIP

“Just because you have a title does not meanthatyou’realeader,”Paulsays, “Leadershipissomethingthatyoudo.”A true leader inspires others to move forward together to open doors not just forthemselvesbutforothers.

“Use your position as a key...You represent a lot of people, and that’s

AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE EASY TO FIGHT FOR.

The legacy continues with Jake’s son, Jaden. He currently serves as the Modesto FFA Chaplain, and recently tookthirdplaceinCreedSpeakingatthe California FFA State Conference. He is looking forward to a summer trip to Washington,D.CwithFFA.

From one generation to the next, the message is consistent: “Get involved, do the right thing, be passionate, and fightforwhatyoubelievein.”

‘I identify with that, I believe in you, and I’ll follow you.’”

A COUNTY OF LEADERS

Why do so many national agricultural leaderscomefromStanislausCounty?

Part of it is geography, the Wengers believe.

“We’re close enough to Sacramento to beeffective,andfarenoughawaytonot be tainted,” Paul explains. When Valley farmersspeaktolegislators,“theyknow wearereal.”

Jake adds, “It means something different coming from somebody who livesit,ratherthanapaidlobbyist.”

Leadership is in the DNA of the region: Modesto FFA was one of the first chaptersinthecountry,andbothTurlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts were trailblazers in water infrastructure. More importantly, the people here have maintained generational operations. While consolidation and aging populations frequent much of the ag sector, families like the Wengers keep it alive.

PASSION

BREEDS PASSION

Jake says, emphasizing that the fight is not for land or profit—but for neighbors andcommunity.

Stanislaus County produces everything from peaches, apricots and apples to grapes,beef,dairy,sheepandhogs–the list goes on. A community thrives when these sectors come together to supporteachother.

EVOLVING LEADERSHIP

The political climate has changed, makingleadershipmorecomplex.

“It’s challenging, because people used to want to get things done and could work together—and they don’t anymore,” Paul says, “We’ve foreclosed the ability to say, ‘I disagree with you, nowconvinceme.’”

He believes we need to refocus on what unites us: Everybody eats, and most likely, they’re a consumer of California agriculture. We have a reason to be in the room. Today’s leaders must be credible, honest, and committed to the people they represent. “So often people think the end justifies the means—it doesn’t,” Paul says. It’s just as much about the conversations and interactionsthatarehadalongtheway.

“Inagriculture,alotoftimeswedon’t liketotalkaboutwhatwedo,likeitsa badthing,”Paulsays,

WHAT WE DO PUTS FOOD ON PEOPLE’S TABLE. WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITIES.

THE CALL TO LEAD

Leadership opportunities are everywhere. As Jake puts it, “If you’re in a room, and there’s people there, you’ve gotanopportunity.”

He concludes, “That’s all you can do –you start opening doors, making people start to think.”

INTERVIEW & ARTICLE BY

MADDIE ZWEEGMAN

GraduatesCongrats

When March rolls around each year, the wait is over for students at collegesacrossthestate–it’stime for their most anticipated livestock event of the year, the California Collegiate Spring Livestock Show. For students at Modesto Junior College, the opportunity to participate is created through enrollmentinoneofthethreespring courses: Beef Fitting & Showing with Instructor Jennifer Terpstra, Sheep/Goat Fitting & Showing with InstructorTimTruax,orSwineFitting Showing with Instructor Mikaela Lamle.

Thesestudentsquicklylearnhowto care for their assigned livestock projects, with instruction on feeding, fitting and grooming and showmanship technique. A variety of students enroll in the fitting and showing courses for various reasons. For some, it’s one last moment in the ring after years exhibiting livestock. For most, it is an opportunity to step outside of

their comfort zone and try somethingnew.

“I took the class to gain more experience and to have fun, because I love working with cattle,” said Jasmine Hall, MJC student.

“From this experience, I gained not only valuable knowledge about showing, but friends and a team as well.”

Not only does the event have market show and breeding shows, but also features three showmanship divisions, with highlysought buckles up for grabs. The

breedingandmarketshows awardthetopthreeanimalsoverall.

This show is especially notable in the fact that while MJC students areexhibitorsintheshow,theyalso theyalsoparticipateinitsexecution – planning, organization, set up, and take down! This event debuted in 2021, finally bringing 2019 preCOVID plans into action. Registration has grown steadily through the years, with the 2025 show boasting 60+ head of cattle, 60+ head of sheep and goats, and 30+ head of swine. Participating schools include College of the Sequoias, Merced College, Reedley College,FresnoState,andModesto JuniorCollege.

I

We’re pa We’re par We’re pa

MJC1 HIGHINDIVIDUALS ST

TAYLOR KLEIN - AG COMMUNICATIONS

MOLLY TERPSTRA - PORTFOLIO

MJC2 HIGHINDIVIDUALS ND

LAUREN CLARK - AG EDUCATION

ASHER CUMMINGS - AG MECHANICS

MATTHEW PACHECO - DAIRY JUDGING THOMAS GUZMAN - HORTICULTURE

MJC3 HIGHINDIVIDUALS RD

JOSEPH AVILA - AG COMMUNICATIONS

JASMINE HALL - AG EDUCATION

MYKEL MULL - DAIRY JUDGING AMANDA OSMUNDSON - PORTFOLIO

MJC 1 HIGH TEAMS ST

DAIRY JUDGING AG EDUCATION PORTFOLIO AG COMMUNICATIONS

MJC2 HIGHTEAMS ND AG MECHANICS EQUINE MANAGEMENT HORTICULTURE SOILS

MJC3 HIGHTEAMS RD CROPS PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE

Modesto Junior College’s School of Agriculture earned high honors at the 2025 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference, placing2ndoverallinSweepstakesforthe2-YearDivision after a week of intense competition and unforgettable experiences.

The competition, hosted this year by West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, brought together agriculture students from across the country to showcase theirknowledge, critical thinking, and technical skills in various contests ranging from Ag Communications to Soils.

Prior to the event, many of the 36 MJC students selected to attend also took the opportunity to expand their learning beyond the classroom and the competition. Some traveled to Purdue University and Oklahoma State University to tour facilities, meet with faculty and gain furtherinsightsintopotentialtransferandcareerpaths.

Others explored the stunning landscapes of Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the United States and a signature landmark of the Texas Panhandle. Students hiked numerous trails, taking in the natural beautyandexperiencingauniquesideofTexasculture.

WRITTEN BY JOSEPH AVILA

CANYON, TX

NACTA NACTA

LAST LAST Breakfast THE

The Last Breakfast is a longstanding tradition for the MJC School of Agriculture,

evolving from a simple breakfast in the 1950s as a celebration of another school year past. Today, it celebrates the distribution of over $72k to qualified scholarship recipients year after year. School of Ag staff don an apron over a hot skillet to serve students and supporters alike – serving hand-cooked omelets, occasionally scrambled or over-crisp.

THANK YOU DONORS THANK YOU DONORS

American Ag Credit

Angelo Luchessa Memorial

Olga Luchessa Memorial

Burchell Nursery

Charlie Bracco Memorial

Charlie E. Bracco Jr.

Memorial

Clara J. Gonsalves Memorial

Dave Mesenhimer

Dave’s Meat Service

Trent Johnson Memorial

Dr. Robert & Virginia Beck

Family Endowment

Floyd & Betty Zaiger

Memorial

Fran Nunes Memorial

Friends of Agriculture

George Gagos Family

Impact of Agriculture

Jerry A. Pollard Memorial

Joseph & Diane Venturini

John C. De Boer

Martin Bianchi Memorial

MJC Ag Faculty & Emeritus

Pauline Smith Family Trust

Richard & Sylvia Nimphius

Romaine & Jane Stewart

Memorial

Roy Johnson

San Joaquin Stanislaus

Cattlemen

Senior Retired Faculty

Sierra Research Laboratories

Stanislaus CA Women for Agriculture

Stanislaus County Farm Bureau

Van Egmond Family

Yosemite Farm Credit

Yosemite Foods Inc.

Hal Carlton

Susan Belleville Switzer Memorial

Fiscalini Family

William Merriam

Donker & Cover

CONGRATS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS CONGRATS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Aidan Alberto

Alexa Alto

Allison Dutra

Amanda Osmundson

Ariana Cuellar

Ashlyn Alamo

Aubrey Swift

Braulio Lopez-Fernando

Cayden Ewing

Connor Correia

Destiny Reyes

Elainna Dulcich

Elizabeth Marsella

Grace Harkrader

Hannah Wampler

Isabel Franco

Jack Fletcher

Jasmine Sanchez

Jayden Yokom

Jewlia Word

Jon Chapman

Joseph Avila

Kara Edwards

Kirsten Larson

Kymberlee Torres

Larry Azevedo

Lauren Clark

Lorraine Fredericksen

Lauryn Young

Madeleine Owen

Madeline Zweegman

Madison Simmons

Madison Van Laar

Manuel Solis

Matthew Pacheco

Matthew Bowman

Megan Azevedo

Mikayla Silveira

Mykel Mull

Rilee Bruner

Rori Montgomery

Sophia Ballin

Taylor Klein

Taylor Word

Teresa Sousa

Thomas Guzman

Vicente Sanchez

Mackenzie Phillips

Molly Terpstra

Zoe McCann

Over $72k in fundsscholarship awarded

BLUE GOLD Recruiting Recruiting & &

CALIFORNIA FFA STATE CONFERENCE

The Modesto Junior College School of Agriculture participated in the California FFA State Leadership Conference, held April3–6inSacramento.Theannualevent is the largest statewide Career Technical Student Organization conference in California, drawing approximately 7,000 attendees.

Theconferencebroughttogetherstudent leadersfrom368FFAchaptersacrossthe state and focused on leadership development, career exploration and the futureofagriculture.

Modesto Junior College brought 18 agriculture students to the event. Over three days, students engaged with FFA members at the MJC Agriculture booth, which featured a friendship braceletmaking station, a digital 360-degree camerabooth,promotionalgiveawaysand appearances by MJC mascots Petey and Penelope. FFA members also had the chancetolearnmoreaboutMJC’sdegree programs and student involvement opportunitiesoncampus.

In addition to the interactive booth, MJC leadership students presented two workshops to more than 200 FFA members. The sessions emphasized leadership development and agricultural advocacy through engaging competitions andactivities.

CULTIVATING LEADERS CULTIVATING LEADERS

TheModestoJuniorCollegeNursery once again welcomed the community for its annual plant sale, held during the first weekend of April. As the nursery’s largest event of the year, the sale was a resounding success, drawing in a lineofcustomersacrosstheparking lot and raising approximately $17,000 to support the Environmental Horticulture Science program. Months of preparation went into the event, with students playing a vital role in every phase. The plant sale serves not only as a fundraiser but also as a valuable experientiallearningopportunityfor

EHS students. In the lead-up to the sale,studentsassistedinawiderange of hands-on tasks, including planting vegetableandflowerseedsdonatedby community partners, cleaning and organizing the greenhouse, and preparing previously unsold plants for display. One of the highlights of this year’s event was the generous donation of a diverse selection of fruit trees—ranging from peaches and plums to cherries—courtesy of Roos TreeNursery,BurchellNurseryandDave Wilson Nursery. These contributions added significant value and variety to the sale's offerings. The event’s smooth execution was made possible

by the dedicated group of student volunteers who helped manage logistics and customer support throughout the weekend. Thanks to theirefforts,thenurserysoldoutof allvegetablestarts,flowers,andthe majority of houseplants and #1 plants. The MJC Nursery extends heartfelt thanks to its students, staff, and the local community for their continued support and involvement. Their contributions are instrumentalinmakingtheplantsale not only a financial success but a meaningful educational experience yearafteryear.

Plant Sale

STUDENT WRITERS

Zweegman

Terpstra