CATA Hall of Fame - Class of 2008

Sanford I. Beck
Yuba City HS 1961-1968, Willows HS 1968-1971, Central Region Supervisor 1971-1984, State Council on Vocational Education 1987-1996

Teacher of Excellence

Born and raised in Orland, Sandy was member of Orland FFA, played football, and worked on the family turkey ranch. At CSU-Chico, he was active in student government, football and the fraternity while earning a B.S. degree. Sandy was an agriculture teacher, CDE Regional Supervisor, Regional Coordinator, Staff to Commission on Vocational Education, Executive Director for the State Council on Vocational Education, Director of Vocational Training for Adams Associates, and a Job Corp Centers Director.
Lloyd D. Hokit
South HS 1962-1965, West HS 1965-1967, Bakersfield College 1967-1995, Valley Oaks Charter School 1999-2006

Teacher of Excellence


Lloyd was a product of the McFarland High School Agriculture program, graduating in 1951. He was the first in his family to attend college. It was the influence of the agriculture program that allowed him to believe he could go to college. After serving in the Army, Lloyd started his ag teaching profession at South High School in 1962. In 1976, Lloyd was appointed by the Governor of California as a member of the Kern County Fair Board of Directors and served in that capacity until 1980. He also served as the Beef Chairman, and as the livestock superintendent of the fair, supervising over 1,600 FFA and 4-H exhibitors. He was also teaching, department head, and faculty senate advisor at Bakersfield College at the time. Lloyd continued his agriculture teaching at the Valley Oaks Charter School until two weeks before his death in 2006.

Dr. Ronald Hutchings
Fall River HS 1955-1963, CSU Chico 1963-1989

Dr. Ronald Hutchings was the son of an agriculture teacher. He graduated from Bakersfield High School and entered the Navy in 1945. Upon graduation from Cal Poly, SLO in 1949, he began teaching and managing the livestock division at Boy’s Town. From there he went into industry where he soon realized he missed teaching. He returned to Cal Poly to receive his teaching credential in 1955. He was hired at Fall River High School in McArthur, California. Here he taught for eight impressive years. This is where his son Ken Hutchings is currently teaching. Dr. Loren Phillips the recruited “Hutch” to Chico State. While teaching at Chico he took a sabbatical to attend Ohio State to earn his doctorate. This red-hot teacher began what was to be the most successful Livestock Judging Team on the West Coast.

Dr. Wes Patton
Chico State University 1969-2004

Westley R. Patton, the son of John and Addie Patton, lived agriculture from the beginning, producing pears, raising turkeys, hogs and sheep. Dr. Patton attended Coalinga College, transferred to Chico State for his bachelors, and attended graduate school at Oregon State receiving a PhD and the heart of a young woman. After marriage Wes and Jane moved back to Chico where they raised their two boys. For 35 years “Doc” was a defining fixture of Chico State University; known as a challenging, innovative instructor and caring, patient mentor. Dr. Patton’s office was always open often spilling into the hall with students seeking advice and guidance. In 2000 Wes was unanimously awarded the Outstanding Faculty Service award for his extensive community service.
William Rienstra
Ramona HS 1965-1968, Fallbrook HS 1969-1996

Teacher of Excellence
Outstanding Teacher

Commitment, hard work, dedication, excellence, respect, and love are all words used to describe Bill Rienstra and what he brought to Fallbrook High School Agriculture and FFA. Bill is a dedicated family man. He knew that being a great agriculture teacher would involve a lot of time, so he made sure that his wife and kids were included in as many activities as possible so that they could be together as he worked. All three of Bill’s daughters went through the agriculture program and were very successful. His wife Sydney was not only a mom and wife, but a chaperone, driver, team coach, and mom to all of Bill’s students. He believed in leading by example. He was an honest, hardworking, caring, and giving teacher. He believed that every student could be successful if given the right opportunity. When you think of what a great agriculture teacher should be, Bill is that person.