By Dave Duarte
Campbell FFA – Westmont High School students delivered an outstanding performance at the California FFA State Finals held at Cal Poly on May 2, 2026, competing in the highly competitive Milk Quality and Dairy Foods Career Development Event.
Facing top agricultural programs from across California, the Campbell-Westmont team secured an impressive 5th place overall team finish in the state, demonstrating both technical excellence and team depth.
The team’s success was driven by a balanced and consistent group effort, with all members contributing strong individual performances:
- Nico Winter – 364
- Payton Duarte – 363
- Colin Wade – 360
- Levi Burtz – 351
In a contest where small point margins separate large groups of competitors, Campbell FFA’s tightly grouped scores highlight the team’s preparation, discipline, and overall program strength.
The Milk Quality and Dairy Foods competition challenges students in areas such as product evaluation, milk flavor identification, cheese analysis, and industry knowledge through public speaking—skills directly aligned with real-world agricultural careers.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Campbell FFA’s agricultural program and reinforces its continued growth and commitment to excellence. Competing at the state level provides students with valuable hands-on experience while building leadership, critical thinking, and career-ready skills.
With momentum continuing to build, Campbell FFA is well-positioned for even greater success in future competitions.
Thank you to Coach Arosteguy, for a tremendous competition season, travelling and competing throughout the year with our students from Arbuckle (Northern California), to UC Davis, to Modesto Junior College, Merced Junior College, Atwater, and Concluding with the State Finals at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.