The most prestigious honor awarded to students by the National FFA Organization is the American Star awards and was presented Thursday at the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.
The American Star awards – including the American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience – are awarded to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of a supervised agricultural experience. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing by either owning or operating an agricultural business, working or serving in an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results.
American Star Farmer, Tyler Jacob Schnaithman, Garber FFA Chapter, Oklahoma, began his SAE in the 8th grade and has evolved into a truly diversified agricultural project and is just the beginning to a future career. Listen as Tyler shares more: Interview with Tyler Schnaithman, American Star Farmer
American Star in Agribusiness, Shane A. Mueller, Garretson FFA Chapter, South Dakota, has spent his life working for his dad in the hay field. It began with sheep and restoring some of his dad’s farm equipment now listen as Shane shares more: Interview with Shane Mueller, American Star in Agribusiness
American Star in Agricultural Placement, Brett K. Petersen, Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg-KMS FFA Chapter, Minnesota, dreamed of farming ever since he was young. In sixth-grade year, he began work at Petersen Farms Inc., a diversified crop farm in west central Minnesota, where he swept the floors and put away tools. Soon, more responsibilities were shared with him and brought him to the stage and this honor.
American Star in Agriscience, Elizabeth A. Renner, West Central FFA Chapter, South Dakota, has been fascinated by the critters that inhabit aquatic areas since she can remember. Listen as she takes us further into her SAE here: Interview with Elizabeth Renner, American Star in Agriscience
Be sure to check out even more action by viewing the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo Photo Album.
