INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 23, 2026/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization has announced the winners of its 2026 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. Winners were announced on the stage of Lucas Oil Stadium during the sixth General Session of the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis on Friday, Oct. 23.

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 interviewed four finalists in each category and selected the winners.

2026 NATIONAL FFA STAR AWARD WINNERS

Jose Yepez, Greenville FFA, Greenville, TX – American Star Agribusiness
Jose Yepez launched Yepez Signature Landscape to fund his college tuition and has grown it into a full outdoor services company with four full‑time employees. The business now delivers landscape design, hardscape construction, and property maintenance for more than 100 clients, while Jose Yepez oversees scheduling, customer communication, marketing, and financial operations. With over 160 five‑star reviews, Jose Yepez is proud to uphold the highest standards of professional service and project execution. Owing to the business’s success, Yepez is grateful to be able to support his family and fund his college education.

“One of the most impactful opportunities that this project has been able to provide me is the ability to support my family financially,” said Yepez. “As the son of immigrant parents who have known nothing but to work their entire lives tirelessly, I take pride in being able to utilize my business in a meaningful way to assist my family. Through my hard work and dedication to the success of my small business, my mother has been able to renovate her home, my father has been able to secure a fulfilling job, my sister has been able to attend college, and I have been able to fund my own college education — thanks to the success of Yepez Signature Landscape.”

Tessa Tauke, Beckman Catholic FFA, Earlville, IA – American Star in Agriscience
Tauke’s agriscience research began in eighth grade with practical questions inspired by challenges on her family’s farm. Across five projects, she explored topics ranging from agricultural equipment safety and black walnut toxicity to welding exposure and bovine ringworm treatments. Her work eventually led to professional research experiences with the USDA, Iowa State University Dairy Farm and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

“Agriscience did not simply prepare me for future opportunities,” said Tauke. “It created them. Looking back, I am proud of what I have accomplished, yet I know it all started with curiosity and a willingness to learn. The desire to explore and innovate still continues to guide the hopeful veterinarian and leader I am becoming.”

Jaron Black, Streator FFA, Streator, IL – American Star in Agricultural Placement
Black’s placement projects have given him experience across crop production, agricultural mechanics, custom application and agricultural transportation. He progressed from cleaning and moving equipment at Black Farms to managing repairs, operating combines and semis, applying fertilizer and pesticides and communicating directly with customers. He says his favorite and most special accomplishment that his agricultural classes helped him with was meeting his fiancée.

“My fiancée and I met through our agricultural education classes, and in the fall of 2025, we started planning our wedding,” said Black. “To build these projects with my fiancée has been one of the most exciting parts of my life, as she has always been a true inspiration and influence behind looking forward to the next opportunity. Through the ups and downs of my projects and the continued drive to better myself, she has always stood by my side and supported me. This last March, we shared our vows and are excited to continue to build our own life together in production agriculture.”

Cooper Kline, North Rock Creek FFA, Chandler, OK – American Star Farmer
Kline has grown his swine production from two to 28 sows, representing several purebred and crossbred lines. As owner and operator of Kline Swine, he manages breeding decisions, artificial insemination, nutrition, veterinary care and the marketing of pigs. He also created Kline Swine Sires, collecting, evaluating, packaging and marketing fresh semen from his boars while using social media and industry relationships to grow his customer base.

“This organization has taught me time management skills and a work ethic that will serve me well as I continue through my adulthood,” said Kline. “I owe so much to this organization for molding me into the person I am and looking forward to the day that I can give back as an instructor and guide other young people on this incredible journey.”

Bayer, Cargill, Case IH, Domino’s, John Deere, Rabobank, 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 and convention.ffa.org for information about the  99th National FFA Convention & Expo.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,053,847 student members as part of 9,591 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 1,053,847 student members as part of 9,591 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.