INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 19, 2021/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization has announced the 16 finalists for its 2021 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 94th National FFA Convention & Expo, held in Indianapolis this fall. The four winners will be announced during the convention.

Case IH, Elanco Animal Health,  NAU Country Insurance Company, Pepsico Inc, RAM Trucks and Syngenta sponsor the American FFA Degree recognition program.

The finalists include:

American Star Farmer

Josh Heupel from Le Grand, California: Grady Johnson from Holdrege, Nebraska; Kurt Muggli from Carson, North Dakota and Raegan Klaassen from Hydro, Oklahoma

American Star in Agribusiness

Noah Anuez from Lake City, Florida; Tyler Ertzberger from Carnesville, Georgia; Matthew Rowlette from Berea, Kentucky and Wyatt Harlan from Slaton, Texas

 American Star in Agricultural Placement

Caleb Peckham from Woodstock, Connecticut; Duncan Patton from Comer, Georgia; Ethan Buck from Lafayette, Indiana and Jakob Weinheimer from Groom, Texas

American Star in Agriscience

Mackenzie Camacho from Madera, California; Emily Acevedo from Starke, Florida; Chase Krug from Marion, Iowa and Reese Wilson from Stephenville, Texas

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 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. 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.