For Delta Liquid Energy, supporting youth in agriculture isn’t just about bidding at the livestock auction, it’s about investing in the future of our communities. We proudly support the aspirations of local youth through 4-H and FFA programs. This year’s participation in the 2025 California Mid-State Fair was especially meaningful as we stood alongside families, teachers, and supporters to cheer on the hardworking participants in the livestock auction.
This year at the fair, IT Manager Jeff Phillips, and Director of Marketing & Sales Allison Platz-Velazquez represented Delta Liquid Energy with enthusiasm and heart. Armed with bidding paddles and community pride, our team was excited to support young agriculturalists and invest in their future.
In the days leading up to the auction, we reviewed over 220 heartfelt buyer letters from 4-H and FFA students. Each letter told a story of early mornings, dedication, and determination. We are always moved by the effort each student puts in, not just with their animals but in the way they communicate their journey.
This year, we proudly supported 17 students across 13 4-H and FFA organizations. Our team purchased 11 animals—5 pigs, 5 lambs, and 1 goat, including 4-H Reserve Champion Lamb. In addition, we offered 6 add-on contributions to students whose animals received lower bids, ensuring their hard work was fairly rewarded. In total, Delta Liquid Energy invested over $25,000 into the future of our local ag leaders. Some of the animals purchased will even be processed and donated back to local nonprofits, continuing the cycle of giving.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the inspiring youth we had the honor of supporting this year:
Tenley Benyo, 13 – Ranchita Canyon 4-H, 4-H Reserve Champion Lamb
Thirteen-year-old Tenley Benyo is no stranger to the show ring. This year marked her fifth year showing livestock at the California Mid-State Fair, and her dedication paid off as Tenley proudly earned the 4-H Reserve Champion title for her lamb.
A member of Ranchita Canyon 4-H, Tenley has raised lambs exclusively throughout her showing career, but she’s already thinking about what’s next. “I kind of want to switch to do steers next year,” she shared, mentioning the King City Fair as a potential new venue. For Tenley, the challenge of raising a larger animal, and the financial reward that can come with it, is a motivating next step.
A student at Templeton Middle School, Tenley plans to continue showing through high school and possibly beyond. When asked if she saw herself pursuing a future career in agriculture or animal care, her answer was confident: yes. Her early and ongoing experience with livestock has already shaped her interests, reinforcing the idea that hard work, consistency, and connection to animals can lead to a fulfilling future.
Rylie Muniz, 11 – Creston 4-H, Pig
At just 11 years old, Rylie Muniz is in her second year of showing pigs and already shows the maturity and patience of a seasoned exhibitor. A member of Creston 4-H, Rylie keeps her pig at home in Templeton, making it easier to manage the daily care routine and early morning feedings that come with raising livestock.
Reflecting on this year’s fair, Rylie noted how her pig’s personality created some extra challenges. “He was a little more stubborn this year,” she admitted, but quickly added, “I still enjoyed it very much.” That balance of struggle and reward is a familiar theme among young showmen, and Rylie is already learning how perseverance plays a part in success.
Though she’s still exploring what she might want to do in the future, her experience in 4-H is laying a strong foundation in responsibility, routine, and animal care. With several more years ahead of her in 4-H and school, Rylie is on a path of discovery that may just lead to a lifelong passion.
Emma Marquart – Templeton FFA, Pig
Emma Marquart’s livestock journey began with chickens and grew into something bigger, literally and figuratively. Now a member of Templeton FFA, she’s in her third year showing pigs and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. “I just always loved watching the older kids show their bigger animals and I wanted to be a part of that,” she explained.
Emma credits FFA with having a powerful impact on both her personal development and career aspirations. “It shaped my future definitely,” she said. “I want to be a vet when I’m older. Spending a week and a half with all these animals is fun, and the leadership part of FFA has really brought me out of my comfort zone.” From caring for animals to participating in speaking competitions, Emma is developing skills she knows will serve her well in veterinary school and beyond.
Her passion for large animals and her drive to improve her public speaking reflect the strong leadership values that FFA instills in its members. Emma is a shining example of how programs like FFA help students discover their voice, and their future.
Emma is also the daughter of our Paso Robles District Sales Manager, Nate Marquart. We love being able to support our team’s kids in their 4-H and FFA ventures. It’s one more way our Delta Liquid Energy family stays connected to the communities we serve.
Kelsi Porter, 13 – Templeton FFA, Goat
Though this is Kelsi Porter’s first year in FFA, it’s not her first time in the show ring. She spent the previous two years in Creston 4-H raising poultry, but this year decided to try something new: goats. “They just looked like really fun to show,” she said with a smile. “I was interested in something different.”
At 13 years old and heading into her freshman year at Templeton High School, Kelsi is eager to continue exploring what FFA has to offer. She already sees the value in the program: “It’s taught me a lot of lessons. Responsibility, how to care for animals, how to care for things, how to communicate.”
Kelsi hopes to continue showing in high school and is interested in working her way up to showing cattle. While she hasn’t locked in a career path yet, her curiosity and willingness to challenge herself are exactly the qualities that FFA nurtures. With her enthusiasm and positive attitude, Kelsi is poised to make the most of her years ahead in agriculture.
Molly Cheatum – Atascadero FFA, Pig
For Molly Cheatum, raising pigs has been more than just an extracurricular—it’s been a journey of self-discovery. Now in her fourth year showing pigs at the Mid-State Fair, Molly is part of Atascadero FFA, where students care for their animals at the school farm located near a local elementary school. This shared space allows students to build camaraderie while developing hands-on experience in animal care.
“I’ve always thought pigs were fun creatures,” Molly shared. “Having my own pigs has always been super fun.” But beyond the joy of raising animals, she emphasized how much she’s learned about herself. “It’s given me a lot more confidence and independence—proving to myself that I can take care of my own livestock animal.”
This fall, Molly will begin her college journey at Cuesta College. Though she hasn’t settled on a specific career, she values the flexibility her ag background gives her. “Just in case I did want to go into something agriculture-related, I could. But even if not, I’ve learned so many skills—like hard work, time management, and responsibility—that I’ll take with me.”
Liliana Luera, 17 – MCP FFA, Pig
For Liliana (Lily) Luera, agriculture has always been a part of life. She’s been showing animals for eight years—starting with rabbits, then moving into pigs—and plans to pursue a future in agricultural business and digital art. A member of MCP FFA, Lily is heading into her senior year of high school and has her sights set on Cal Poly, where her brothers are currently enrolled.
“We’ve always had animals growing up,” she said, explaining how she naturally gravitated toward showing. Her experience through FFA has only deepened that connection. “It’s taught me leadership and determination—getting work done, taking on responsibility, and being exposed to real-world problems.”
Lily’s favorite animals to show are pigs. “They’re squirrely, but they’re fun,” she laughed. This year, she almost took on a replacement heifer project but decided it would be too much with her other responsibilities. It’s a testament to her self-awareness and growing ability to balance commitments, a skill that will serve her well in college and beyond.
Brice Montgomery, 14 – Chaparral 4-H, Sheep
Brice is a dedicated member of the Chaparral 4-H sheep group and has been showing livestock for six years—including one hog and four sheep. This year marked his fifth year raising a market lamb, a white dorset wether named Mack, who weighed in at 124 pounds.
Brice’s attention to detail and discipline are evident in how he feeds Mack a mix of high-protein lamb feed, alfalfa, supplements, and clean water—morning and night. But his goals extend far beyond the barn. “I’ve been flying a Cessna airplane since I was 12,” he mentioned. “My goal is to get my pilot’s license before my driver’s license.”
In addition to 4-H, Brice enjoys fishing, riding his dirt bike, and flying, and dreams of becoming a commercial pilot or flying for CalFire or the Air Force. His mix of agricultural experience and aviation passion is a testament to the diverse skills these programs help foster.
He showed Mack in two classes at the fair: Any Other Breed Market Sheep and Showmanship, and was present at the auction to speak with potential buyers and supporters. Brice’s well-rounded interests and years of experience made him a standout at this year’s event.
Common Ground: What Agriculture Teaches Our Youth
Throughout every conversation, a few themes rose to the surface:
- Responsibility: Every student spoke about the commitment required to raise and care for an animal. From early morning feedings to daily cleanings, they’ve learned the value of consistency and hard work.
- Confidence & Communication: Many referenced the growth in self-confidence, often from stepping out of their comfort zones during public speaking events or learning how to engage with buyers and judges.
- Leadership: Particularly through FFA, students have developed leadership abilities that extend far beyond the show ring.
- Future Career Inspiration: A growing number of students, like Emma and Lily, are interested in agricultural careers—whether in veterinary medicine, animal science, or ag business. Their experiences are already influencing long-term goals.
The other young ag students we were able to support are:
Animal Purchase:
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- Callie Phillips – Pozo 4-H, Pig (Jeff Phillips’ granddaughter)
- Shamus Leonard – Atascadero FFA, Lamb
- Isabelle Guizar – Rio Ranch, Lamb
- Isamel Martinez Sosa – Parkfield 4-H
Add-Ons:
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- Porter Rennie – San Miguel 4-H, Pig (Our CSR Kim Brazil’s grandson)
- Dylan McGraw – Paso FFA, Pig
- Kaden Kilburn – Templeton 4-H, Pig
- Adrian Madrigal – Cerro Alto 4-H, Pig
- Daniel Thomas – Edna 4-H, Pig
- Ella Boggs – Estrella 4-H, Pig
At Delta Liquid Energy, we’re proud to be a locally owned and family-operated business—and supporting these youth is one of our favorite traditions. Their commitment to excellence, their work ethic, and their love for their animals inspire us every year.
To the students, families, advisors, and fair organizers: thank you for another unforgettable year at the California Mid-State Fair. We look forward to continuing to support our future leaders—both in and out of the show ring.
Interested in learning more about how 4-H and FFA shape future leaders? Visit our blog to discover more inspiring stories from the fair!