Oakdale High School Future Farmers of America continues to make its mark on the map and now Oakdale High School senior Amanda Osmundson is a part of that.
Earlier this month, Osmundson earned the State Title for Beef Production Placement Proficiency in Ontario, California.
The OHS student participated in the two-day event where a log of her work with beef cattle was reviewed and weighed against others in the state.
“Growing up I was always around cattle,” the state winner shared, noting her family was in the business of dairy when she was young, before transitioning to beef.
“It wasn’t really until we started the transition from dairy to beef that I really started getting interested,” she continued. “As I was growing up, I became more knowledgeable and started paying more attention.”
A member of OHS FFA since her freshman year, Osmundson shared her increased involvement with the program didn’t happen until her junior year.
“If it wasn’t for my good friends Enrique and Roberto, I wouldn’t have taken the extra step,” she said of getting more involved her senior year.
She also feels this recent achievement will help her get to the “next step” in her career.
Currently, Osmundson plans to attend MJC and participate in their beef internship. She then hopes to attend Fresno State and pursue an Animal Science Degree, with a minor in Genetics or Ag Business.
“I don’t think that it’s one thing specifically,” she said of being drawn to the industry. “I think it’s just the fact that I’ve grown up around it and seeing that my family is so passionate about it. Especially growing up here in Oakdale, agriculture is a big thing.”
Yet her background and knowledge didn’t make her devoid of nerves and uncertainty while attending the State competition. Recounting her moment on stage with the other competitors, Osmundson shared feeling a bit of fear and anxiousness.
“I was so relieved,” she stated after hearing the announcement of her win, adding a phone call to her dad shortly after the announcement was tear-filled on both sides.
“I think that not only does it provide success in my name, but also for the Beef Master breed because in California they’re not really common,” she said of the win. “I think having the State winner be from a Beef Master operation is really important in getting the Beef Master breed out there.”
As the new champion now looks to her future, as well as the potential to compete at Nationals later this year, she felt it most important to give acknowledgment to some key people.
“I’d just like to say thank you to my family,” she stated, listing the following family members: Mike and Nancy, Greg and Myra, Gary and Amy Osmundson.
“I think all of my family in general, but those names have helped shaped who I am and really helped me in this process of growing up in agriculture and inspiring me,” she said.
Adding to the list, the four Ag advisors who have been instrumental at helping her at OHS, as well as the doctors at Lander Veterinary Clinic.
“They are everything that has been holding me together through this entire journey,” she said of the OHS Ag team, “because it has been stressful at times.”
