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 Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing, by 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.
The American Star in Agribusiness is awarded to the FFA member with the top nonproduction agribusiness SAE in the nation. Here are the 2025 finalists for Star in Agribusiness:
FINALIST: Nash McKenzie, Missouri
Nash McKenzie founded his lawn care business, NJ’s Lawncare (now Home Exterior Services), in 2019 and has grown it from servicing four yards to cutting 45 yards weekly while expanding into full landscaping and yard design. He manages all aspects of the business, including employee training, route management, equipment maintenance and financial operations. In 2022, he secured a large landscaping project that challenged him to balance turfgrass clients while gaining new skills in landscape construction, budgeting, and employee management. Despite drought conditions affecting mowing frequency, his focus on strong community relationships has positioned his company as a leading lawn and landscaping service.
“Whether it be being actively involved in sports, school, the community, or my business, I have and will always work to achieve my highest potential possible and put my best foot forward,” said McKenzie. “I am very proud of the business I have developed and grown since 2019.”
FINALIST: John Buryl Neely, Tennessee
John Buyrl Neely started his placement SAE in 2019 with Neely Livestock LLC, gaining experience in livestock brokerage and transportation that led him to start his own business, John Neely Trucking LLC, in 2020. Since then, he has expanded his fleet to include multiple trucks and trailers, hired four full-time drivers, and manages transportation across 30 states for over a dozen customers. In 2024, he co-founded 3-J Meat Company LLC, diversifying into meat sales and custom butchering. Neely now oversees all aspects of his business operations, which transported approximately 157,000 hogs, 31,000 sheep/goats and 16,000 cows in 2024.
“My SAE in agricultural business, specifically within the livestock transportation sector of the industry, has given me the knowledge, tools and experiences necessary for a bright future and career,” said Neely.
FINALIST: Blake Twenhafel, Illinois
Blake Twenhafel owns and operates BT Lawn Care, providing weekly lawn care services for over 50 residential, commercial, and municipal clients. Since starting with just a push mower in 2018, he has grown the business by focusing on customer satisfaction, strategic marketing, and efficient route planning. As his client base expanded, Twenhafel took on employee management and refined his quoting and scheduling skills to maintain quality while improving profit margins. His biggest challenge has been managing weather-related schedule disruptions.
“I believe that BT Lawn Care would not have been as prosperous without FFA,” said Twenhafel. “The Turfgrass Management SAE provided me with structure and targets to reach. I am forever grateful for the foundation I have been able to expand in FFA, from the leadership experiences I have had at the chapter and state level in Illinois.”
FINALIST: Trevor Wright, California
Trevor Wright’s SAE involves operating and managing Wright Welding and Ag Services, providing fabrication and agricultural construction services such as livestock corrals, cattle chutes, barns, and irrigation systems. Starting in high school, the business grew from serving family and local clients to working across several counties. Wright expanded his equipment ownership and service offerings, including earning a commercial driver’s license to enhance hauling capabilities. Since graduation, the business has continued to grow with a broader range of services.
“This business has become much more than just an SAE project,” said Wright. “I have learned the value of hard work, earned people’s business and respect, and developed so many technical skills that will serve me well as I continue to expand my business so that I can rely on it as a full-time job and career.”
The American Star Awards are sponsored by Bayer, Cargill, Case IH, John Deere, Rabobank and Syngenta. For more information on the awards, visit FFA.org.
