Ryann Vierra

Through the FFA, she participated in the Best Informed Greenhand contest and public speaking competitions like the Creed Speaking Leadership and Development Event and the Job Interview Career Development Event. Vierra also served as her chapter’s vice president and as an FFA sweetheart, and she raised and showed sheep for her county fair.   

Vierra has excelled inside and outside the College of Agriculture at Chico State. In the college, she is involved in Ag Ambassadors and serves as the special events committee chair to help facilitate events and activities. This year, Vierra attended the World Ag Expo on behalf of the college to recruit students and meet Chico State alumni.  

She is also a member of the Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority, where she manages their social media and serves as a National Panhellenic Conference delegate to connect with other sorority chapters.  

Last summer, Vierra had the opportunity to work at almond huller and processor, Ryan Parreira Almond Company (RPAC), where she was able to sample almonds on the processing floor, manage the grower relationships within the office, and learn about agricultural sales in the almond industry. She is planning on working there this summer to gain even more experience.  

Vierra will be graduating in spring 2023 and is planning on entering the agricultural credential program to gain hands-on experience as a high school agricultural teacher. She is also considering graduate school to pursue a degree in agriculture education or business with a focus on marketing.  

Some of her favorite classes within the college are “Agricultural Selling and Consulting” (ABUS 211) with Marnie Dalton, and “Introduction to Agricultural Education” (AGED 201) with Alyssa Schager, because each class has contributed to her career passions. 

Over this past winter break, Vierra attended an agricultural exploration trip to Puerto Rico where she was able to create her own list of personal learning objectives to be accomplished on the island. She will be the next student-lead for this year’s trip. 

“This opportunity helped me to grow as a student and an agriculturalist,” Vierra said. “I am looking forward to planning the 2022–23 exchange trip to gain a new array of experiences.” 

Within the College of Agriculture, Vierra admires professor Alyssa Schager for encouraging her to pursue agriculture education. She was hesitant at first to double major, but Schager pushed her to combine her passions for education and business. Another role model in Vierra’s life is her dad.   

“My dad is the most selfless and caring person I know. Growing up, he always encouraged me to do my best and to be kind to others. I strive to have this same mentality in my daily life,” Vierra said.  

This semester, Vierra started working at the Organic Vegetable Project and the Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Soil Lab. She is learning how to properly test soil, harvest vegetables, and weed testing-area plots. She enjoys the welcoming atmosphere at the University Farm and looks forward to continuing to work there the rest of the semester.  

Vierra offers some valuable advice for incoming students into the College of Agriculture.  

“I recommend getting involved during your freshmen year and continuing to stay connected to your academic advisor. Do not be afraid to make friends in your class and to take full advantage of everything the college has to offer, especially the Student Success and Retention Office,” Vierra said.  

One of Vierra’s favorite things about the College of Agriculture is the sense of community and the opportunities she has that can lead to career and personal success. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors at either a beach or a lake.  

In the future, Vierra hopes to be in an agriculture career that she loves and making a positive impact on her community and the lives of others.