Longtime friends and former students went all out paying tribute to Al Fernandes at this year’s Southern California Fair, Oct. 9-12 in Perris. Fernandes, who dedicated his life to his family, education, agriculture, and community service, passed away in May.
After many years in 4-H and raising prize-winning swine alongside his mother, Fernandes carried his passion into his professional career and taught agriculture at Hemet High School from 1981 to 1996. He inspired generations of students to pursue leadership, responsibility and pride in agriculture. His years as a Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor left a legacy that continues in the lives of the many students he mentored. He was deeply involved in the Grange and devoted countless hours to supporting his children and others at local fairs. Grange is an organization whose purpose is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through education, nonpartisan advocacy, and community service, while also promoting agricultural interests.
Jill Scott, who is currently an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at San Jacinto High School, knew Fernandes most of her life. He was her Grange leader when she was in middle school.
“He would always be encouraging us kids to grow something to enter in the fair,” she said. “He helped me when I became an FFA teacher with advice and even helped me teach my students how to process turkeys. He was one of those people who was always there, willing to help.”
Barn Bash SoCal donated a bench in memory of Fernandes that was presented at the beginning of the livestock auction at this year’s fair. It is a permanent tribute that will remain at the fairgrounds. Scott is vice president of the nonprofit that supports the Southern California Fair Junior Livestock department. They host a yearly fundraiser and the funds raised go to facility improvements like new pens, painting the barns, arena fans, and shade cloths.
“We wanted to create something that would honor his legacy and last for years. We wanted it to be something permanent in the department that people would see and remember Al by,” Scott said.
The other tribute, curated by Rose Marotta and Rebekah Sanders, was in the horticulture tent. Since the fair was such a huge part of his life, and he gave so much of himself to it year after year, the pair wanted to honor his memory in a way that reflected his dedication and the incredible impact he had on everyone. They spent about a month planning and gathering photos, memorabilia, and personal items — everything from his childhood to his career and family life.
Sanders met Fernandes in 1986 when she first joined the Ramona Rancheros 4-H Club. “I started out raising rabbits, and Al was one of my very first mentors,” she said. “I went on to show rabbits nationally for about 17 years. Later, when I attended Hemet High School, he became my FFA Advisor in 1994. Through the years, Al became much more than a mentor — he was a dear friend. He was one of those rare people who left a lasting impression on everyone he met — kind, hardworking, and genuinely caring.”
“Creating the tribute at the fair felt especially meaningful — it was a place that truly represented who he was and what he loved. He was a big part of the agricultural community and was deeply involved in 4-H, FFA, and Grange,” Sanders said.
Rose’s friendship with Al began nearly 50 years ago when they truly grew up together. This enabled her to contribute many sentimental pieces, including signs from when he showed with his mom, his pig show cane, and even a bell from his mother’s home. Sanders also gathered memorabilia from his wife, Maureen, such as Fernandes’ FFA Academic Advisor jacket, his childhood show jacket, family farm signs, and sweet keepsakes his children made for him when they were young.
“Rose was such an important part of making this tribute come to life,” Sanders said. “She helped with so many of the small but meaningful details — arranging display pieces, choosing special items, and adding thoughtful touches that Al would have loved. Her friendship with Al was so genuine, and that love showed in everything she did. I truly couldn’t have done it without her. Al meant so much to both of us, and we wanted this tribute to reflect that.”
Because they wanted to be sure the display told the full story of Fernandes’ life, from his younger years through to his retirement, it included photos of him as a child, throughout his teaching career, and into his later years.
We also displayed several awards and recognitions from his decades with the Hemet Unified School District, including plaques and even the chair he received when he was honored as Teacher of the Year for the district,” Sanders said.
They also decided to place many thoughtful “Easter eggs” throughout the memorial — special touches that represented different parts of Al’s life. She said an owl symbolized his role as an FFA Academic Advisor, and fresh vegetables and fruit represented his family farm.
“One of the most special details was the inclusion of live baby pigs — a tribute to his lifelong love of raising Hampshire pigs,” Sanders said. “My daughter, who is a graphic designer, helped with all the signage. It was truly a team effort; everyone wanted to contribute something meaningful.”
It took a small team of five about a week before the fair opened to set everything up. She said they wanted to make sure each piece was placed thoughtfully so the display felt warm, welcoming, and full of love — something Al would have been proud of.
Katie Fernandes followed in her father’s footsteps and is in her seventh year as an agriculture teacher at Hemet High School, where she advises the poultry and rabbit student projects, as well as floral projects, and the Sunday farmstand as well. “My dad used to help me all the time on Sundays with the farmstand and growing plants for our school garden,” she said. “He was a huge influence on my teaching career.”
Katie said the tributes were a total surprise to her family. “My mom and two of my brothers viewed the tribute to our dad together in the agriculture tent, and we were in awe of the time put in by everyone to make such a beautiful display and tribute and to share his story and how he impacted agriculture in our area,” Katie said. “The beautiful bench that was created in his honor was presented at the auction with a heartfelt dedication to him. The bench is absolutely beautiful, and it’s such a nice addition that it will stay there for everyone to use and remember his impact. I knew my dad meant a lot to a lot of people, but it was amazing to see the impact and influence he had on many people within the ag community and beyond.”
Outside of the classroom, Fernandes continued living the agricultural values he cherished. Together with his wife, Maureen, and their children, he raised livestock, cultivated a thriving home garden, and sold his vegetables and eggs locally. He was deeply involved in the Grange and devoted countless hours to supporting his children and others at local fairs.
The Fernandes family grew up in Hemet, from Al and Maureen to Katie, her sister, and three brothers. “My siblings and I grew up raising livestock and showing at fairs. My dad was always our biggest supporter with the animals,” Katie said. “He continued to be my biggest supporter as I started my teaching career right after he retired, always being my sounding board and offering a helping hand when I needed it. He would provide guidance for me and my students in our livestock projects, including rabbits and chickens, and our school garden.”
As part of the tribute designed by Rebekah and Rose, a large poster described who Fernandes was and how much he will be missed. “Those who knew Al will always remember his warmth, humor, and generosity. Former students, colleagues, and community members describe him as a mentor, leader, and friend whose guidance and encouragement shaped countless lives,” it reads in part.
It ends with the following: “Al Fernandes will be remembered not only for his remarkable career in education and agriculture, but also for the joy, wisdom, and dedication he shared so freely. His legacy lives on in his family, his students, and his community.”
Sanders said Fernandes was a man who touched countless hearts and left a lasting mark. “Al had a special way of connecting with people — always ready with a smile, a story, or a helping hand. He spent much of his life guiding and encouraging young people,” she said. “Through his work with FFA, 4-H, and Grange, he helped shape the future of agriculture and leadership in our community. He was a mentor, a friend, and a shining example of what it means to give back. Even though he’s no longer with us, the lessons he shared and the kindness he showed continue to live on in everyone he touched.”
Scott is proud of her students who competed at this year’s fair. “We had 12 turkey exhibitors and brought home the reserve champion FFA Turkey and the Grand Champion FFA Turkey; nine lamb exhibitors, the champion Lamb Carcass contest winner, second place in chapter group; eight swine exhibitors and they all placed in the middle of their class; and eight rabbit exhibitors who earned many best of breed and best of varieties,” she shared.
Katie Fernandes’ students did very well with about 200 entries at the Southern California Fair, exhibiting rabbits, lambs, pigs, goats, and cattle. Her students also entered still exhibits for floral, ag mechanics, and preserved foods.
The rabbit exhibitors won Reserve Supreme Champion meat pen as well as Champion and Reserve Champion FFA rabbit meat pens. One of the students also won Champion Fryer Rabbit. “We had the reserve FFA champion goat, reserve champion breeder ewe, reserve FFA champion market lamb, champion pen of three lambs, reserve champion carcass contest lamb, best of show ag mech project, and many blue ribbons in the still exhibits,” she said, adding that this year’s Farmer’s Daughter crown went to a Hemet FFA student.
Katie said she was pleased to see the auction centerpieces include zinnias, which were her father’s favorite flower to grow because of the fair. “When he would advise students for the fair, he would always see the many varieties grown at the fair, so he grew them at home too,” she said. “It was a nice touch to have all the zinnias. They also had seed packets on the tables for people to take home, because he was always encouraging students and youth in ag to grow plants.”
Although this year’s fair has ended, the Event Center offers activities throughout the year. The mission of the Southern California Fair & Event Center is to provide and promote agricultural activities, entertainment, education, recreation, and service opportunities for all people in Riverside County. For more information, https://socalfair.com.
