Sonoma Valley High ag student to attend leadership conference

Paul Shafer to debate ag issues at state level|

Sonoma Valley High School senior Paul Shafer was one of 60 students around the state selected to attend the Sacramento Leadership Experience conference from March 7 to 10. Shafer serves as the chapter president of the Sonoma FFA (formerly called Future Farmers of America).

The Sacramento event is California’s primary “leadership development and personal growth” conference.

“This conference is an incredible opportunity that few high school students ever get to experience,” said SVHS ag teacher and FFA advisor Felecia Rush. “The last time we had a student selected was four years ago so this is a really exciting opportunity for Paul and for SVHS.”

SLE consists of both a Senate and an Assembly, forming a bicameral model legislature; Shafer is assigned to be an Assemblymember of California District 47. At SLE he will learn about issues that directly impact the future of agriculture in California, discuss and debate the issues, both from his own research, as well as from the perspective of those whose district he represents, and conclude by conducting mock legislation that is developed during this conference on the floor of the Legislature.

Each legislator is assigned a bill; they are either the author or sponsor. Shafer will be responsible for researching his topic, becoming an expert on the issue, and introducing the bill to SLE. His ultimate goal is to pass the bill in the legislature for approval by the governor. To do this he will practice politics by gaining support, both in his political party and across the aisle, as well as across houses, while also maintaining the integrity of his district and constituents.

“This will be an amazing opportunity for me to witness the legislative process that takes place in our own state’s capital,” said Shafer. “After college I plan to become an agriculture lobbyist to work toward promoting better and more sound legislation to help the common farmer in any way I can. This conference will not only unlock countless doors full of opportunities but also help me build industry connections that I can use to help me to pursue my future goals.”

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