Shannon Douglass, California Farm Bureau president, is joining the California Future Farmers of America Foundation as a new board member. Photo courtesy of California FFA Foundation

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The California Future Farmers of America Foundation (FFA) has added two agricultural leaders, Shannon Douglass and Mel Machado, to its board of directors. Their leadership, experience and commitment to agriculture and youth development will further strengthen the foundation’s mission of supporting the more than 108,000 Future Farmers of America members throughout California.

Since 2023, Douglass has led the California Farm Bureau as president, following six years of service on the board’s executive committee as the first vice-president. A Glenn County farmer and co-founder of CalAgJobs, a company dedicated to connecting agricultural students and professionals with career opportunities, Douglass combines industry expertise with a strong passion for youth development.

An East Nicolaus Future Farmers of America Chapter alumna, Douglass held numerous leadership roles as a student, including chapter president and sectional officer. Today, her California Farm Bureau leadership centers on supporting California’s farmers and ranchers, while her service on the foundation board will help cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

“I’m grateful every day for what Future Farmers of America gave me: opportunities to lead, compete and grow,” Douglass said. “Now, as a Future Farmers of America mom and a foundation board member, I have the chance to give back to ensure this program continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agricultural advocates.”

Mel Machado, chief agricultural officer at Blue Diamond Growers, is joining the California Future Farmers of America Foundation as a new board member. Photo courtesy of California FFA Foundation

Machado, the chief agricultural officer at Blue Diamond Growers, serves as a strategic partner on all aspects of agricultural operations. Machado has spent more than three decades at Blue Diamond Growers and has been actively involved in the industry and community. He has served as a director on the Almond Board of California and as a member of the University of California Integrated Pest Management Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of Opportunity Stanislaus. Machado is also an alumnus of Livingston Future Farmers of America, earning his State Future Farmers of America degree.

“I am so proud to serve as a member of the Future Farmers of America Foundation Board of Directors,” Machado said. “The Future Farmers of America provides students with the best leadership training and skills development of any function in California’s schools and provides a solid foundation for California’s students as they prepare for their careers.”

Douglass and Machado will help guide the California Future Farmers of America Foundation and ensure its resources are invested in preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

“The California Future Farmers of America Foundation is honored to welcome Mel Machado and Shannon Douglass as our newest directors,” said Emily Rooney, California Future Farmers of America Foundation chair. “Their professional expertise and deep commitment to our mission and the agriculture industry will be invaluable as we advance the foundation’s work and expand its impact. Their involvement strengthens our collective ability to serve and support all facets of agricultural education.”

The new members join 25 business and industry representatives, nine education and program oversight representatives and staff members who represent the California Future Farmers of America Foundation board.