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5. Jacob DeFant

Jacob DeFant

Agriculture Technician I (Seasonal)

Biological Control Program
California Department of Food & Agriculture
3294 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA 95832
jacob.defant@cdfa.ca.gov

Curriculum Vitae

• Education

  California State University, Chico Bachelor of Science: Agriculture, Crops, Horticulture & Land Resource Management

  2020

• Agriculture Experience

  California Department of Food & Agriculture (Biological Control Program), Sacramento, California — Agriculture Technician I Reared biological control organisms Monitored field insect traps Maintained colonies of parasitoids and invasive species Managed three small sized greenhouses Processed observational data related to projects related to biological control	January 2021 to Present
  Green Acres Nursery and Supply, Sacramento, California — Garden and Pest Solution Sales Educated customers of product use in accordance with chemical and nutrient labels.	May 2021 to Present
  California Olive Ranch, Chico, California — Agronomy Intern Facilitated execution of annual Olive Yield Estimation Collected and Organized Data over nine month trial using infrared, thermal and satellite maps to assess canopy vigor, tree health and irrigation practices Analyzed Diverse Data for Management and Executives Field Scout and Sampling using AgWorld technology	May 2020 to April 2021
  Little Red Hen, Chico, CA — Horticulture Instructor (Nursery/Greenhouse) Managed Ornamental Greenhouse Managed Raised Bed Crop Production Designed and Applied Pest Control Practices Oversaw Staff Safety	January 2018 to May 2019
  Future Farmers of America, Chico, Ca — Chico State FFA Field Day & Career Development Event / Judge Judged participants verbal reasons and written tests for judging Horticulture specimen	March 2017/2018/2019
  Sectional/Chapter Officer – Elk Grove, Ca Facilitated leadership development events for membership Chaired committee and general meetings to conduct organizational business Participated in discussion with local leaders regarding agricultural and educational issues Organized competitive judging competitions for local and sectional teams	2011-2015
  General Membership Accomplishments State Degree Recipient State Officer Candidate	2011-2015

• Supportive Experience

  Starbucks, Sacramento & Chico, CA — Barista / Coffee Master	February 2015 to January 2020
  Democracy Now! Public Journalism Course — Independent Media, Journalism and Communications Completed comparative media analyses Participated in group discussion about public perception of current political events Conducted interviews with local stakeholders regarding current issues in communities	August 2021

• Volunteer Experience

  Organic Vegetable Project & CSA Stand, CSU Chico Prune, Irrigate, Harvest and Package produce	August 2018 – May 2019
  Sunrise Movement Member and Team Lead, Chico, CA Participated in direct action in support of local climate legislation Lead direct action team to organize events involving stakeholders and community members Designed the ‘University Green New Deal’ to encourage more sustainable climate action from CSU Chico Lead training events for skill development among membership	July 2019 – January 2021
  Chico City Council Political Campaign, Chico, CA Organized Fundraiser events for community grassroots fundraising	July 2020 - November 2020
  Bidwell Park & Chico Creek Clean-Up, Chico, CA Cleaned waterways and creek banks to maintain stream health	October 2020
  California Native Plant Society Annual Plant Sale, Sacramento, CA Use knowledge of native plants to identify and gather items for order. Distributed hundreds of orders of native plants	September – October 2021
  Community Fridge, Sacramento, CA Delivered donations to community fridge location to support the local unhoused community Cleaned and Organized fridge to insure cleanliness and access to the food	August 2021 - Present