The National FFA Organization has announced the 16 finalists for its 2026 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. Two finalists hail from Wisconsin.

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 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall. The four winners will be announced during the convention.

Finalists:

American Star Farmer

Bailee Amstutz from the North Union FFA Chapter in Ohio

Kaleb James Ellis from the Cochrane-Fountain City FFA Chapter in Wisconsin

Cooper Kline from the North Rock Creek FFA Chapter in Oklahoma

Justin Myers from the Forreston FFA Chapter in Illinois

American Star in Agribusiness

Benjamin Biros from the Seneca FFA Chapter in Illinois

Luke Brand Schilling of the Eastern Hancock FFA Chapter in Indiana

Wesley Thomas Winch of the Fennimore FFA Chapter in Wisconsin

Jose Yepez of the Greenville FFA Chapter in Texas