Placer FFA member champions community service project to Feed the Hungry of Auburn

Placer FFA announced a remarkable project spearheaded by one of its first-year members, Joseph Stefani. With five years of experience raising pigs in Placer County, Stefani has consistently showcased his dedication and skills at the Placer County Fair in Roseville and Gold Country Fair in Auburn. During his time raising pigs for the Gold Country Fair, Stefani had the opportunity to meet with executive members of Feed the Hungry of Auburn – a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing thousands of pounds of meat to local food closets annually. This organization relies heavily on donations and purchases livestock from the local Junior Livestock Auction, where young exhibitors from Placer County's 4-H and FFA programs are financially rewarded for their efforts. In a conversation with Peter Konrad, a board member of Feed the Hungry of Auburn, Stefani learned about the community's growing need for more pork and beef. Motivated by this need, Stefani set out to see how he could make a difference. "In FFA, the first step in a community service project is to find what your community needs. I decided to do this project because I saw the need and how to serve it," Stefani said. "Working with pigs is what I love to do. Having five more pigs at my house is not much different than what I do now. It takes just a few more minutes to feed nine pigs versus four, which is my normal routine." Konrad praised Stefani's efforts, saying, "It's incredibly inspiring to witness today's youth embracing both manual labor and community service. I firmly believe that young individuals involved in organizations like FFA and 4-H, who dedicate themselves to serving their communities, are on the path to becoming some of the most successful people in the future." He added, "I am grateful for Joseph and the opportunity he created for Feed the Hungry of Auburn and our community." With a focus on sustainability, Stefani reached out to the community for support. Associated Feed & Supply Co. of Turlock in Stanislaus County has pledged 2,000 pounds of feed for the project, and the Ophir 4-H club has purchased the piglets. Stefani is also developing contacts to secure donations for the next round of pigs in 2025 and is working to involve other FFA and 4-H members interested in raising additional pigs. The Rotary Club of Auburn has shown interest in assisting with the purchase of animals for next year. Stefani's initiative not only addresses a critical need in the community but also exemplifies the values of leadership, responsibility and service FFA instills in its members. "Joey has gone above and beyond the call of duty by helping his community," said Haily Kidd, Placer FFA advisor. "Placer FFA is so proud of his contributions to Feed the Hungry and the lasting effects that it will have on so many." As the project progresses, it promises to make a lasting impact on the community, providing essential nourishment to those in need while fostering a spirit of collaboration and support among local organizations and youth. The Junior Livestock Auction starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept, 7, at the Gold Country Fair. Anyone in the community can help the efforts of Feed the Hungry of Auburn by either pledging money for the group to buy more animals or attending the auction at the Gold Country Fair. With money collected, Feed the Hungry of Auburn supports the young people of 4-H and FFA by bidding, purchasing, processing and distributing the finished food products via a broad network of food ministries throughout Placer County and parts of the greater Sacramento region. To get involved or for more information on Feed the Hungry of Auburn, visit www.feedthehungryofauburn.com.