Indianapolis, Ind. (Friday, July 19, 2024) – The National FFA Organization has announced the 16 finalists for its 2024 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.

The American Star Awards represent the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The award recognizes FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies by completing a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows members to learn by doing. Members can own and operate an agricultural business, intern at an agricultural business, or conduct an agriculture-based scientific experiment and report the results.

Other requirements to achieve the award include demonstrating top management skills; completing key agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements; and earning an American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of student accomplishment.

A panel of judges will interview the finalists and select one winner from each award category for the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall. The four winners will be announced during the convention.

Cargill, Case IH, John Deere and Syngenta sponsor the American FFA Degree recognition program and the American Star Awards.

The finalists are:

American Star Farmer
Larahmy Blakley from the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Paul Oliver from the Tattnall FFA Chapter in Georgia
Ty Steffen from the Newark FFA Chapter in Illinois
Jacie Wolfinger from the Sumner-Eddyville-Miller FFA Chapter in Nebraska

American Star in Agribusiness
Austin Archer from the Cookeville FFA Chapter in Tennessee
Allyson Arthur from the Chickasha FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Landon Haney from the Arcanum-MVCTC FFA Chapter in Ohio
Maggie McDonald from the Magnolia FFA Chapter in Arkansas

American Star in Agricultural Placement
Ethan David Lulich from the Mauston FFA Chapter in Wisconsin
Arturo Madriz from the Madera FFA Chapter in California
Wylie Schwebach from the Moriarty FFA Chapter in New Mexico
Gage Slagell from the Hydro-Eakly FFA Chapter in Oklahoma

American Star in Agriscience
Audrey Bishop from the Van Alstyne FFA Chapter in Texas
Lizzie Catherine Schafer from the Taylorville FFA Chapter in Illinois
Rylee Smith from the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma
Garren Thomas Hamby from the Eagleville FFA Chapter in Tennessee

 Visit FFA.org/Stars for more information about the American Star Awards.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.