It was 11:30 Monday morning when Morgan Hill FFA officers, Nikki
Dronek, Danielle Budde, Cody Kent, Clayton Carlson, Steven Baird
and Kimberely Zuchowski heard the sound of tires rolling over the
gravel road into their Live Oak High School farm.
Clayton Carlson – Special to the Times
It was 11:30 Monday morning when Morgan Hill FFA officers, Nikki Dronek, Danielle Budde, Cody Kent, Clayton Carlson, Steven Baird and Kimberly Zuchowski heard the sound of tires rolling over the gravel road into their Live Oak High School farm. They were excited as the guests of Morgan Hill’s sister city, San Martin de Hidalgo arrived for a tour of the farm to learn more about their sister city to the north.
President Dr. Francisco Javier Guerrero Núnez, his wife Maria del Carmen Reyna Bravo, their two teenage daughters, Councilwoman Nayeli Vazquez, Foreign Affairs Director Salvador Zepida Siordia and various members of the sister cities program all attended. They had just finished a tour of George Chiala Farms and where excited to see the ag programs available through FFA at their sister school and compare it to theirs back home.
The first thing that drew the delegates’ eyes was the swine barn, as the delegates were given a tour of the 23 swine at the farm one of the delegates recalled growing up on his family farm as a boy in Mexico and having more than 1,000 pigs. As the officers continued touring the farm, it was quickly noted that they already had a strong knowledge of farm animals.
It was then the FFA officers learned that 80 percent of San Martin de Hidalgo’s economy is sustained by agriculture. Núnez also informed the officers that his local schools have an agricultural department similar to Live Oak High School’s. Núnez said one of the largest projects in the ag department, is the production of organic compost that is used for their main export, the Persian lime. While there are many similarities between the two cities, such as both having some of the best soil in their state, “there is also differences,” Núnez said, referring to their lack of proper technology and infrastructure needed to run things as efficiently and effectively as in Morgan Hill.
The visit was greatly appreciated by both sides, not only did the Morgan Hill FFA officers get to showcase their school, but also learned more about the sister city. Then just as the group was about to leave Núnez said that he would be honored if the Morgan Hill FFA officers came to visit his city and schools to work with their students and see what we can show them and they can show us. While no decision has been made on the trip to Mexico, the Morgan Hill FFA members said they were honored.
