Oklahoma FFA members shine on National FFA Convention stage
The 98th National FFA Convention & Expo was held Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, in Indianapolis, Indiana, with more than 73,000 people in attendance, and Oklahoma FFA claimed some of the highest honors and awards available at the national level.
American Star Farmer
The highest awards bestowed upon FFA members are the national star awards, which include American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.
Ryder Klaassen, of the Hydro-Eakly FFA Chapter in Hydro, Oklahoma, was named American Star Farmer on Oct. 31. The American Star Farmer winner, with is recognized for the best Supervised Agricultural Experience program in the nation, receives $2,000, a plaque and a medal. Klaassen is Oklahoma’s 11th American Star Farmer winner. According to the Oklahoma FFA Association, the state has more American Star Award winners than any other state in the country.
According to the National FFA Association, Klaassen’s SAE program includes wheat, black-eyed pea, mung bean, cotton, and corn production, as well as a beef cattle operation consisting of cow-calf, stocker and show cattle programs. He farms 420 rented acres in a wheat-summer crop rotation, strategically choosing legumes like black-eyed peas and mung beans to improve soil health, shorten the growing season, and provide winter pasture for his cattle.
Klaassen has transitioned from relying on his parents’ advice to independently managing all production, marketing and financial decisions, including securing specialty crop contracts with companies like Del Monte and international buyers.
“As I reflect on my career in agricultural education and FFA, I find myself being very appreciative of the character that I have developed, the skills I have learned, and the person that it has molded me to be,” Klaassen said. “I will forever be in debt to this great program and all the people who have poured into me.”
Agriscience dominance
Oklahoma FFA brought home 10 national titles from the National FFA Agriscience Fair, the most of any state. Stillwater FFA was particularly successful with agriscience projects, winning seven agriscience national championship divisions, the most of any chapter nationwide. These FFA members include Maguire Biggs and Kaisley O’Nan; Paetyn Gilliam and Eliana Tommins; Brayden Arnall; Gracie Essary; Oakley Gross and Preslee Watley-Kindt; Keeley Gross and Addyson Ferrell; and Kylee Eck.
The Oologah FFA Chapter also had two members who won national titles, including Sofie Jensen and Brookelyn Ryan. Jalyn Lundry of the Haworth FFA Chapter was also named a national champion in one of the divisions.
In addition to the agriscience fair honors, Stillwater FFA was named a National Premier Chapter in Strengthening Agriculture. During the National Proficiency Awards ceremony, four Oklahoma FFA members were named national champions. These included Kenzie Mowery from the Chickasha FFA Chapter; Kyrianna Beard from Stillwater FFA; Blake Weeks from the Meeker FFA Chapter; and Kizer Schneberger from the Carnegie FFA Chapter.
Madilyn Norvell, of the Amber-Pocasset FFA Chapter, was named national runner-up in the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event. In addition to the awards, 185 Oklahoma FFA members received their American FFA Degrees—the highest degree that can be awarded to an FFA member.
National FFA president
On the final day of the convention, the 2025-2026 National FFA Officer Team was announced. Oklahoman Trey Myers, a former member of the Perkins-Tryon FFA Chapter, was selected as the new National FFA president. Myers previously served at the central area vice president on the 2023-2024 Oklahoma State FFA Officer Team.
“We’re incredibly proud of Trey for representing Oklahoma on the national stage. From his roots in the Perkins-Tryon FFA Chapter to leading with humility and heart, Trey has shown what it means to serve others first. His journey from joining FFA “just to get out of school” to inspiring members across the country is a testament to how this organization transforms lives,” read a statement from Oklahoma FFA. “Oklahoma couldn’t ask for a better representative of our values, spirit, and dedication to agricultural education.”
Myers is Oklahoma’s 24th National FFA officer, and the ninth National FFA president from the state. In addition, Oklahoma has produced more National FFA presidents than any other state in the country. Myers will serve the next 12 months with five other national officers from across the nation, representing the National FFA Association. According to National FFA, “The officers will interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate partners, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public, and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members nationwide and help establish policies to guide the future of FFA and the next generation of leaders.”
To learn more about the FFA organization, visit www.ffa.org.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
