Heritage FFA members Cisney, Wright win state awards

Two members of the Heritage High School chapter of Future Farmers of America recently won state awards at the 90th California FFA Leadership Conference in Anaheim.

Kelsi Cisney won the Vegetable Production Proficiency Award for the hydroponic tower garden she has been working on the last two years. The project included a vegetable planter bed containing cabbage.

"I mainly focused on production from my towers," Cisney said. "I began the project in August of 2016 and will finish in June of 2018. The towers required detailed cleaning of all their parts, planting seeds and allowing them to germinate, and harvesting the crops that came from my towers.

"In terms of the planter bed, I was required to plant my seeds, regularly check the irrigation systems, and harvest and sell my produce. To begin my projects, I worked under my advisor, who guided me and told myself and my peers how to care for our towers and planter beds. I was then asked to care for all 10 school towers over the summer months, and on our return to school, I was asked to manage the hydroponic tower project and teach the novice members how to approach this project successfully."

The Vegetable Production Proficiency Award focuses on efficient production and management of market crops. Some of these crops include beans, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, hot peppers as well as canning fresh vegetables. Cisney will continue her education at Cal State Monterey Bay, where she plans to study Environmental Science and Policy.

Anthony Wright won the Landscape Management Proficiency Award. For the past two years, he has worked for Monarch Sustainable Landscape and Ringwood Landscaping. He is currently working full-time in order to gain experience and plans to study landscape architecture in college in preparation for his General Contractors License.

The Landscape Management Proficiency Award focuses on planting and maintaining plants and shrubs and honors students who have shown excellence in landscaping and outdoor beautification, installing sprinklers and improving recreational areas.