Ag Business Student Spotlight: Anthony Camacho

It's obvious how much pride that agricultural business senior Anthony Camacho takes in being a Fresno State student.

The Greenfield native has put his previous three years of Jordan College experience to good use and is currently serving as its ASI senator and committed to making a difference for current and future agricultural students.

He has also served as an intern for Congressman Jim Costa, and has additional experience sharing the impact that Fresno State and Central Valley has on the community and beyond as an ag multi-media student assistant, campus interfraternity and Alpha Gamma Rho member and officer, and participant in our Azores study abroad internship program.

Learn more about these interesting experiences & many others in this recent interview.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State?

Camacho: "Fresno State has the strongest agricultural programs in California, especially being located in the Central Valley. Our college has produced some of the best leaders within the agricultural industry and continues to provide students with countless opportunities to grow, lead and learn."

 

Q: What campus clubs and organizations are you a part of? 

Camacho: "I've been fortunate to be a part of many clubs within the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, such as the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Ag Ambassadors and Ag Business Club. I currently serve as the ASI Senator of the Jordan College. I also serve the organization as the Senate Secretary, Student Court Chief Justice and Chair of the ASI Legal Committee. I previously served as the Senator for Greek Affairs, ASI Lobby Corps Executive Assistant, and on the ASI Personnel Committee.  In the fall of 2020, I was elected as a Civic Engagement Office for the statewide California State Student Association representing the Central Region, in which I assist in coordinating the grassroot efforts and civic engagement for students across seven campuses "

Camacho: "I am also involved in other campus organizations within Greek Life. I've been a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, in which I served as the VNR Finance, VNR Activities and as the Social Media chair. I expanded my involvement by serving as the President and Recruitment chair of the Interfraternity Council."

Camacho: "I am also serving in other capacities as a member of campus wide committees, including the Water Committee, Food Service Advisory Committee and the Ethnic Studies Taskforce."

 

Q: Have you had any travel experiences to conferences or other events that have shaped your college experience?

Camacho: "I was lucky to be a part of Jordan College and University of the Açores partnership. I traveled to Terceira Island during the summer 2018, where I was placed as an intern at Quinta dos Açores. It's a growing company that produces some of the most popular and delicious meat and dairy products in Portugal. I spent a month interning at their meat and dairy processing facility in the great city of Angra do Heroismo. I packaged, vacuumed, labeled, and created different meat and dairy products. This internship focused on the areas of marketing and sales, food safety, quality assurance and handling inspections. This experience provided me with a wider understanding of international agriculture and foreign production."

Camacho: "This past year, I attended the CSSA California Higher Education Summit, in which I lobbied and advocated at the California State Capitol on behalf of the CSU System and Fresno State for financial aid reform, student food insecurity and other issues that continue to affect students statewide."

Camacho: "As a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, I have represented our chapter (Alpha Sigma Chapter) at the Leadership Seminar, Recruitment School and the recent National Convention. In the virtual convention, I served as an Undergraduate Co-Chairman of the Resolutions Committee. By attending these events, I was able to strengthen my skills related to leadership, communication, teamwork, recruitment and other strategies."

 

Q: Have you had any jobs at Fresno State that will help on your career path?

Camacho: "In the past, I worked as a multimedia and communication student assistant for the Jordan College for two years. In this capacity, I developed story and news content for the College website, social media and other outlets. I also assisted with photography and videography for student and faculty features and events and shared agricultural industry stories. Recently, I worked as Student Assistant for the Office of the President." 

 

Q: Have you been a part of any research projects on campus?

Camacho: "Recently, I participated in a research project related to California walnut production, in which I I interviewed walnut growers across the state, collected data and polling for research purposes  related to economics. At the end of this project, I compiled this information and formed a report. In this project, I was under the supervision of Dr. Annette Levi of the Agricultural Business Department Faculty."

 

Q: Have you received any scholarships at Fresno State?

Camacho: "I am a recipient of the California 23rd Assembly District - Agriculture Scholar award, and this award was given by the Office of Assembly member Jim Patterson and My Job Depends on Ag. The Kenneth L. Maddy institute additionally selected me as a Valley Legislative Intern Scholar and as a Costa Scholar, which included an internship with the Office of Congressman Jim Costa in both Fresno and Washington D.C The Alpha Gamma Rho Foundation also selected me as a recipient of the Dale Runnion Scholarship."

 

Q: Talk about the congressional internship and what types of responsibilities you've had?

Camacho: "My internship began in August 2019, and it involved a wide variety of areas within government. I attend briefings and conference calls, wrote and prepared correspondence, congressional records and memos. I also assisted with constituent services and special projects; conducted research and policy analysis; and gathered data and other administrative duties. Congressman Jim Costa currently sits on the House Agriculture Committee, so I assisted staff with policy matters relating to agriculture, water, natural resources, and other areas. It was an honor to intern for Congressman Costa who is an alumni of Fresno State."

 

Q: What was your ag background before Fresno State?

Camacho: "I was highly involved in FFA during high school, and I served as a chapter and sectional officer. I competed in prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking, vegetable judging and cooperative marketing. I conducted multiple ag related projects and attended many conferences, including the prestigious Sacramento Leadership Experience and National FFA Convention, including the Washington D.C. experience."

Camacho: "One of my FFA focuses was an agricultural communications project in which I created and managed my FFA chapter website, social media and digital marketing. I utilized digital media, public relations and educational strategies to promote the agriculture industry and educate others about many topics within agriculture. My hard work paid off as I was recognized as the 2017 California State Agricultural Communications Proficiency award winner and earned a national silver rank award. My project was also awarded as a finalist for the California FFA State Star web page award and as the winner of the South Coast Region FFA Agricultural Education proficiency award."

Camacho: "I also raised livestock for three years in high school as a member of FFA. I raised pigs, rabbits, poultry and a lamb for the market and auction at the fair. I enjoyed learning and raising all different species of animals that were particularly suited for the Salinas Valley and Monterey County fair. I bred, raised, showed and harvested the rabbits for a small project operation that I conducted my final year. I did compete in a few local show competitions for rabbits as well."

Camacho: "I also worked as an educational leadership facilitator for California FFA, in which our team led an educational conference for high school freshmen to educate them about agriculture education, FFA and the agriculture industry.  In the end, I earned my American FFA Degree, the highest degree and awarded by the National FFA Organization"

 

Q: What's your after-graduation plans?

Camacho: "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has delayed my plans related to my career. But once the situation improves, I will be moving to Washington D.C. to work in person in my current position for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. I also hope to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree in public policy or administration."

 

Q: If students have questions about ASI and related campus or Jordan College student topics, what's your contact information?

Camacho: "Sure - I can always be reached by email: atony78@mail.fresnostate.edu and  asi_sen_jordancollege@mail.fresnostate.edu , and my social media handle is @senjcast - and I'd be happy to answer any questions students have, anytime."