INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 25, 2024/National FFA Organization) – Paul Oliver, a resident of Reidsville, Ga., and a member of the Tattnall County FFA was named American Star Farmer today during an onstage ceremony at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Ind.

The American Star Awards represent the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients, the organization’s highest level of student accomplishment. The award recognizes FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies by completing a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). The American Star Farmer is awarded to the FFA member that demonstrates the top production agriculture SAE in the nation. The member must demonstrate outstanding achievement, active FFA participation, and an exemplary scholastic record.

Growing up amidst the fields and activity of his family farm and swine operations, Oliver developed a deep passion for agricultural life from an early age. After he began establishing his own farming operation in 2018 as his SAE, he found success quadrupling the size of his breeding stock, acquired a 135-acre farm, and turned an unmanaged pecan orchard into a thriving business. His initial swine operation grew from 25 gilts and a boar to more than 100 during the Covid-19 pandemic with more time at home to work and increased demand for pork. During that time, he also acquired 14 Hereford cows and a Black Angus bull, whose profits allowed him to purchase an adjacent farm featuring 55 acres of mature pecan trees and a pond to diversify his operations.

“Balancing the demands of school with the responsibilities of hog farming proved challenging in the early years, but my passion and dedication never wavered,” says Oliver. “I seized the opportunity to purchase cattle and land. These new ventures have deepened my appreciation for the strong work ethic instilled by my parents and grandparents. I am grateful for the ability to diversify my income while continuing to derive fulfillment from daily work on the land that holds familial significance.”

Oliver continues to have an eye for expanding business operations. When an invitation to a county festival in Indiana was extended, he took advantage of the opportunity to expand his customer base to the Midwest, sell 2,000 pounds of pecans, and market his product as a school fundraiser. Oliver plans to continue operating and growing his farm.

About the American Star Awards
Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, four FFA members are honored with American Star Awards for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and agricultural education.

The American Star Awards, including American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience, are presented to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of an SAE. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing, by either owning or operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business, or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting 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.

Sixteen American Star Award finalists from throughout the U.S. were nominated by a panel of judges, who interviewed the finalists this fall. Four were named winners during this year’s 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, which was held in Indianapolis. Winners received cash awards. Cargill, Case IH, John Deere and Syngenta sponsor the American FFA Degree recognition program and the American Star Awards.

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 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 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 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 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.