Maultsby named national FFA winner in nursery operations - Magana secures second in nation in agricultural processing

INDIANAPOLIS — Melissa Marie Maultsby, a student at Fallbrook High School and member of the Fallbrook FFA (FFA) chapter, was named a national winner during the 82nd annual National FFA Convention, held October 21-24 in Indianapolis.

Maultsby was a national finalist in the Nursery Operations-Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency Award Program for FFA.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who have excelled as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while they gained hands-on career experience.

Nursery Operations-Entrepreneurship/Placement is one of 47 FFA proficiency award categories offered at local, state and national levels. The awards program for that category is sponsored by Dodge Trucks and Landmark Nurseries, Inc.

Maultsby received a plaque and a check for $500 as a national finalist. After being named national winner of the program, she received an additional $500 and plaque during a special ceremony at the national convention.

It has been reported that Maultsby “has always had an interest in landscaping, so it was no surprise when the Fallbrook FFA member began her nursery operations project. She focused on buying her own flats and transplanting them to help contribute to a larger variety of plants offered at the FFA nursery sales at her high school.

“She also continued to expand her nursery by propagating her plants by division, resulting in a total of more than 40 different varieties of plants. She is supported in her endeavors by her parents, James and Judy Maultsby, as well as her FFA advisors, Margaret Chapman, George Kreutz, Scott Duffin and Doug Sehnert.”

Stacy Guadalupe Magana, also a Fallbrook High student and Fallbrook FFA member, took second place in the category of Agricultural Processing-Entrepreneurship/Placement.

The first place winner was Brian Wayne Masters II of Drummond, OK. Magana was one of four finalists in the category. The program is sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland Company and CHS Foundation.

In recognition of being a finalist, Magana received a plaque and $500.

Beekeeping is all in the family for Magana. According to FFA instructors, “Fallbrook FFA works closely with Magana’s parents, who play a key role in the apiary industry. As she’s grown older, her responsibilities have progressed to include hive management, as well as the honey processing side of the industry.

“Today, the business produces nine flavors, including orange, clover, wildflower, avocado, eucalyptus, sage, sumac, buckwheat and alfalfa.

“She is supported by her parents, Francisco and Veronica Magana, as well as her FFA advisors, Margaret Chapman, George Kreutz, Scott Duffin and Doug Sehnert.”

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members, all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.