On April 6, 2025, Mendo-Lake FFA made history. At this year’s 97th California State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento—where over 7,000 members from across the state gathered—one of our own earned a spot among the top leaders in California FFA.
The Mendo-Lake FFA Section, made up of 10 chapters, is part of the North Coast Region alongside Humboldt/Del Norte, Solano/Alameda, and Sonoma. Altogether, California is divided into six FFA regions.
It’s been over 40 years since a Mendo-Lake student earned a state office position. The last to do it was Michael Gayaldo from Kelseyville FFA, who served as State President in 1983–1984. Before that, Don Bailey from Upper Lake FFA was State Secretary in 1944–1945.
Now, in 2025, Ryan Taylor, also from Kelseyville FFA, has brought the honor home once again. Already serving as North Coast Region President, Taylor applied for a state office position and was one of just twelve candidates to make it to the final slate—nominated for State Secretary.
At the conference, he faced a live interview in front of thousands, answering two challenging questions with just one minute for each. And he nailed it—Taylor was officially elected to the California FFA State Officer Team!
Massive congratulations to Ryan Taylor! The entire Mendo-Lake Section is celebrating this incredible achievement—you’ve made us proud!
Catalina Cowen is a freshman in the Ukiah High school journalism class. She loves baking and hanging out with friends. She joined journalism because she likes writing about things that happen in the town around her. Catalina was born in Ukiah, California which is a big reason why she wanted to write about the city she is from. She looks forward to writing for the Ukiah High School Journalism class in her future years in High school.
