Owing to its rural location in the heart of the most productive agricultural region in the United States, Hughson High School has always been strong in its agriculture department. Established in 1932, its rich history continues to be added to each and every day.

Kelly Larson teaches AG Biology for freshmen at HHS. She believes that the biggest milestones in the department’s history were, “(growing) from two AG teachers to five AG teachers, having every class meet college entrance requirements, having two national proficiency winners, having a national winning job interview contest, and having the national winning poultry team.” Her favorite projects that she was involved with were farming the school’s orchard, working on the garden amphitheater, and building the school farm. The changes she has observed since arriving here: the AG department and the school have significantly grown in enrollment. At the same time, she states that the “tremendous community support continues to thrive.”

Kristen Maciel teaches AG Chemistry and both regular and advanced Floral at HHS. She graduated from here in 2015 and was heavily involved in agriculture along the way. Some of the most important milestones to her were, “(hiring) a 3rd, 4th, and 5th AG teacher,” because of the significant growth in enrollment at Hughson High School. Her favorite project that she has been involved in is the current reconstruction of the AG building; it is the oldest on campus. Her favorite class to teach is Floral; she loves when students are “able to be creative,” and are allowed to “express themselves in flower arrangements.”

As Hughson continues to grow, the size and scope of the AG department will grow with it. Many future teachers and students will have the opportunity to experience it while also becoming a part of its history.