Advisor's Message
The Advisors of the Lincoln FFA would like to welcome you to the Lincoln FFA and Agriculture Department for the 2021-2022 school year. The mission of the Lincoln FFA and Lincoln High School Agriculture Department is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education. We hope to inspire you to participate in career development events and to become involved in our program by providing you with a high quality agricultural education. Our mission is to prepare students for higher education, technical training, employment and citizenship. We hope that you take advantage of all of the opportunities that the Lincoln FFA and Agriculture Department has to offer. We offer many activities, events and team opportunities that appeal to a variety of students, all of whom come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Please know that it is our sincere hope that all students will feel welcome, intellectually stimulated and inspired. The advisors in the Lincoln Agriculture Department believe that leaders can be made in the FFA program. With skills learned in the Lincoln FFA and Lincoln Agriculture program, students will be given the tools necessary to become a better and more effective leader. We hope that you use these leadership skills to run for office, join a team or inspire others to become more involved in our chapter and our community. We look forward to working with you this year and for years to come.
Lincoln FFA Advisors
Jacob Willhite
Though I am not originally from Lincoln, I grew up in Hanford, CA which is very similar to our community here! I was a member of the Hanford FFA Chapter, which at the time had over 1,000 members and 7 full time Ag teachers across 3 high school campuses! During my time at Hanford FFA, I was a Chapter Officer for 3 years, and competed on the Agriculture Sales, Grape Vine Pruning and Parli Pro Teams! My time in my own agriculture classes inspired me to become an Agriculture Teacher myself!
After High School, I moved to San Luis Obispo and attended College at Cal Poly, SLO. I graduated in 2020 with my Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Sciences with minors in Agribusiness and Water Science. I returned to Cal Poly to complete my Graduate Program where I graduated again in 2021 with my Masters of Agricultural Education and my 2 teaching credentials.
Before coming to Lincoln, I did my student teaching at San Benito High School in Hollister, CA. There I taught everything from mechanics to biology & floral to vet science! I was hired at Lincoln high School in 2021 as the newest Ag teacher and the FFA Advisor for the Lincoln FFA Chapter. I teach courses mainly in our Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Pathways.
As the FFA Advisor, my job largely revolves around supporting our Leadership program and our Chapter Officer team. Outside of the classroom I coach all of our Leadership Development competition teams; Creed, Impromptu Speaking, Prepared Speaking, Extemp Speaking, Job Interview, and Parliamentary Procedure. I also coach our Novice and Officer Opening and Closing Teams, and our AET Farm Records Team. My favorite aspect to my job though is being able to take students across the State and Nation to Contests and Conferences
After High School, I moved to San Luis Obispo and attended College at Cal Poly, SLO. I graduated in 2020 with my Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Sciences with minors in Agribusiness and Water Science. I returned to Cal Poly to complete my Graduate Program where I graduated again in 2021 with my Masters of Agricultural Education and my 2 teaching credentials.
Before coming to Lincoln, I did my student teaching at San Benito High School in Hollister, CA. There I taught everything from mechanics to biology & floral to vet science! I was hired at Lincoln high School in 2021 as the newest Ag teacher and the FFA Advisor for the Lincoln FFA Chapter. I teach courses mainly in our Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Pathways.
As the FFA Advisor, my job largely revolves around supporting our Leadership program and our Chapter Officer team. Outside of the classroom I coach all of our Leadership Development competition teams; Creed, Impromptu Speaking, Prepared Speaking, Extemp Speaking, Job Interview, and Parliamentary Procedure. I also coach our Novice and Officer Opening and Closing Teams, and our AET Farm Records Team. My favorite aspect to my job though is being able to take students across the State and Nation to Contests and Conferences
Jessica Armistead
I have been teaching with Western Placer Unified School District since 2010. I studied at Chico State where I received my Bachelors Degree in Agriculture Education. I hold an Agriculture, Biology and Agricultural Specialist Credential. I am also certified to teach AVID as well as a district Youth Development Institute district trainer. My industry experience comes from 5 years employment with the Roseville Livestock Auction.
I am a graduate of Lincoln High School and served on the Lincoln FFA Officer Team for 3 years including Chapter President my Senior year. When I'm not at work I love working in my garden, trying new recipes in the kitchen and watching Pioneer Woman :) My husband and I have two girls and a son that keep us on our toes!
I serve as our Department Chair for the Agriculture Department at LHS as well as our FFA Sheep and Small Animal Advisor. I have a passion for serving our community and finding ways for our students to give back to the community in many ways.
I am a graduate of Lincoln High School and served on the Lincoln FFA Officer Team for 3 years including Chapter President my Senior year. When I'm not at work I love working in my garden, trying new recipes in the kitchen and watching Pioneer Woman :) My husband and I have two girls and a son that keep us on our toes!
I serve as our Department Chair for the Agriculture Department at LHS as well as our FFA Sheep and Small Animal Advisor. I have a passion for serving our community and finding ways for our students to give back to the community in many ways.
Cassandra Killingsworth
I grew up in rural Lincoln for most of my life. I was lucky enough to be raised on a cattle and horse ranch and truly believe that is where my love for agriculture began. I went through the local Mt. Pleasant 4-H program, as well as the Lincoln FFA program, selling both steers and lambs at the local fairs. I went on to graduate from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a teaching credential in Agricultural Education.
I was fortunate enough to have a few industry jobs prior to teaching. These included riding horses for Doug Ingersoll Training Stables, working as a cashier for Placer County Farm Supply, and Stewart and Jasper Orchards. I am happy to say I have been an agriculture instructor at Lincoln High School for the past 15 years. As one of the FFA advisors, I spend extra time at FFA contests and conferences strengthening our student’s leadership skills, which helps prepare them for future career success.
For our program, I teach some classes within our Sustainable Agriculture Pathway, but primarily I teach the main courses in our newest pathway; Animal Science. This has been a passion project of mine, building this new pathway for our students who are especially interested in livestock and animal agriculture. Outside of the classroom I oversee our Beef and Goat herds at the LHS Farm, as well as coach Opening and Closing & Veterinary Science teams each year!
I was fortunate enough to have a few industry jobs prior to teaching. These included riding horses for Doug Ingersoll Training Stables, working as a cashier for Placer County Farm Supply, and Stewart and Jasper Orchards. I am happy to say I have been an agriculture instructor at Lincoln High School for the past 15 years. As one of the FFA advisors, I spend extra time at FFA contests and conferences strengthening our student’s leadership skills, which helps prepare them for future career success.
For our program, I teach some classes within our Sustainable Agriculture Pathway, but primarily I teach the main courses in our newest pathway; Animal Science. This has been a passion project of mine, building this new pathway for our students who are especially interested in livestock and animal agriculture. Outside of the classroom I oversee our Beef and Goat herds at the LHS Farm, as well as coach Opening and Closing & Veterinary Science teams each year!
Barret Hess
I grew up in a forestry/surveying family in Humboldt County, then moved to Grass Valley following work. I spent the summers cruising timber, packing meat in my grandparents butcher shop, and raising horses and swine. I graduated from Nevada Union and was received a scholarship to attend Chico State for Agriculture.
I worked in the Equipment Repair facility at Chico state for 5 years while attending school. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture with options for both Integrated Plant Systems Science, and Agriculture Education. I have been teaching at Lincoln High School since the 2002/03 school year. In 2014 I was awarded Placer County High School Teacher of the Year. I look forward to many years with Lincoln High School.
I serve as the main Agriculture Mechanics Teacher for the LHS Agriculture Program and Lead the Ag Mech Pathway. Outside of the classroom, I am responsible for the maintenance and operations of the Lincoln High School Farm; including implementing new projects, managing the Hay Operation, maintaining the Wetlands and everything in between! I truly have a passion for giving students opportunities to work hands-on in whatever area their passion lies in, and if I am not in my shop or on a tractor, you can often find me working with students on their own projects!
I worked in the Equipment Repair facility at Chico state for 5 years while attending school. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture with options for both Integrated Plant Systems Science, and Agriculture Education. I have been teaching at Lincoln High School since the 2002/03 school year. In 2014 I was awarded Placer County High School Teacher of the Year. I look forward to many years with Lincoln High School.
I serve as the main Agriculture Mechanics Teacher for the LHS Agriculture Program and Lead the Ag Mech Pathway. Outside of the classroom, I am responsible for the maintenance and operations of the Lincoln High School Farm; including implementing new projects, managing the Hay Operation, maintaining the Wetlands and everything in between! I truly have a passion for giving students opportunities to work hands-on in whatever area their passion lies in, and if I am not in my shop or on a tractor, you can often find me working with students on their own projects!
Thomas Toy
I have lived in or near Placer County for most of my life. In my youth, I worked on my family’s farm and ranch raising cows, pasture land, fruit trees and grapes. While attending Sierra College, environmental science became my focus of study and I later completed a B.S. Degree in Environmental Science from U.C. Davis. When moving back to the Sierra Foothills with my wife, I was employed as a naturalist and a river guide and eventually obtained a teaching credential in 2001.
My employment with WPUSD began in 2002. Since then, I founded a high school 4-H robotics program, helped to establish a county science fair known as the STEM Expo, and helped to initiate a district-wide environmental outdoor science school. I am living out a dream by once again working on an active farm while working with the local community in developing future Western Placer County farmers and supporters of agricultural practices.
While I am not a full time Agriculture Teacher, and teach many classes within the Science and Math departments, I have a strong passion for our Agriculture Program, and love being a part of it whenever I can! I typically teach 1-3 agriculture classes each year, mostly within our Sustainable Agriculture Pathway. Outside of the classroom, I help with the crop production and greenhouse operations both on the main LHS campus, and at the LHS Farm! I also coach a Vegetable Crop judging CDE team each year!
My employment with WPUSD began in 2002. Since then, I founded a high school 4-H robotics program, helped to establish a county science fair known as the STEM Expo, and helped to initiate a district-wide environmental outdoor science school. I am living out a dream by once again working on an active farm while working with the local community in developing future Western Placer County farmers and supporters of agricultural practices.
While I am not a full time Agriculture Teacher, and teach many classes within the Science and Math departments, I have a strong passion for our Agriculture Program, and love being a part of it whenever I can! I typically teach 1-3 agriculture classes each year, mostly within our Sustainable Agriculture Pathway. Outside of the classroom, I help with the crop production and greenhouse operations both on the main LHS campus, and at the LHS Farm! I also coach a Vegetable Crop judging CDE team each year!
