Plant Science Club rewarded with President’s Trophy and Quiz Bowl national titles

(Dec. 3, 2020) – The Fresno State Plant Science Club demonstrated an impressive mix of knowledge and commitment to community and industry outreach at the annual tri-societies industry conference held virtually in November.

In the President’s Trophy competition, club president and senior Tyler Armbrister (Watsonville) delivered a five-minute presentation (*video link at bottom) that showcased the club’s professional opportunities, activities, partnerships, and fundraising the past year.

Judges also evaluated the club’s innovation and problem-solving skills to award the program its sixth national title in the past nine years.

The club participated in a host of activities at the Fresno State Chaffee Zoo Valley Farm, West Fresno School Sweet Potato Project, Ag Booster BBQ, Ag Fest basketball game, Preview Day, FFA Field Day, 4-H Judging Day and many other events.

Students attended and presented their campus research at state and national conferences, helped host a career fair and Western Plant Health Association student industry dinner, and invited industry professionals to speak at their chapter meetings.

The club has already raised over a ton of vegetables on a half-acre campus farm plot that were donated to the campus Student Cupboard and other area food assistance organizations. Faculty member and club advisors Dr. Ranjit Riar and Dr. Jacob Wenger have been a key resource for this and other club projects, which offer independent study class credit and give practical, hands-on experience for students.

"I am truly humbled to be a part of such a passionate group of future industry leaders," said Armbrister. "Representing Fresno State at one of the most competitive and prestigious competitions in agronomy was truly a dream come true for our club. This year's competition posed unique challenges, and we still came together to adapt to the virtual platform and overcome any challenges."

In the final contest standings, Fresno State edged Purdue University (second) and the University of Wisconsin Platteville (third) in the five-team field.

Previous winning Fresno State presentations were made by students Sara Alatorre (2012), Armando Guzman (2014), Elizabeth Diaz (2016), Vivian Maier (2017) and Ignacio Mendoza (2018).

During the week-long conference, a four-member Fresno State team added a win in the quiz bowl for the first time and topped a 10-team field that included Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Ohio State University and Texas A&M University.

Juniors Christian Duran (Dinuba), Desiree Madrigal (Coalinga) and Alejandra Valdez (Tranquillity) and freshman Juan Carlos Orozco (Dos Palos) successfully answered questions related to agroecology, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, soil science and weed science.

The event featured seven questions in each of the first three rounds and 10 questions in the final round.

Four other students also participated in a virtual crop judging contest and included senior Bianey Medina (Salinas), juniors Desiree Madrigal (Coalinga) and Jennifer Valdez (Gonzales) and freshman Juan Carlos Orozco (Dos Palos).

Club member and senior Javier Herrera (Kingsburg) was additionally recognized at the conference as a Golden Opportunity award recipient. The annual award recognizes students for outstanding contributions to agronomy through education, service and research.

Besides his community outreach with the club, Herrera works with campus faculty and UC Kearney extension specialists on research related to pests in nut crops and beetle infestations in bee hives.

"All of these awards have brought so much pride and gratitude for the club's hard work as we proudly represent our college," said Armbrister. "The Jordan College has been such an incredible catalyst for growth in all of us, and I’m glad we were able to earn that recognition nationally. I want to thank Dr. Riar and Dr. Wenger for being such incredible club advisors. They never cease to amaze us with their expertise and dedication." 

More information about the conference for American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America members and industry professionals is at its https://www.acsmeetings.org website.