National FFA elects officers, recognizes top achievements at 99th convention
The 99th National FFA Convention & Expo was held Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and brought together more than 70,000 attendees from across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FFA members competed in numerous contests, heard keynote addresses during convention sessions, presented American FFA Degrees and selected new national officers to represent the organization.
American Star Awards
The 2026 American Star Award winners were announced Oct. 23 during the convention’s sixth general session at Lucas Oil Stadium. These top awards recognize members who demonstrate exceptional skills and achievement through their Supervised Agricultural Experience programs.
The four award categories recognize achievement in farming, agribusiness, agricultural placement, and agriscience. A panel of judges interview four finalists in each category before selecting a winner.
American Star in Agribusiness
Jose Yepez of Greenville FFA in Greenville, Texas, received the American Star in Agribusiness award. According to National FFA, he founded Yepez Signature Landscape to help pay for college and expand the business into a full-service outdoor company with four full-time employees.
The company provides landscape design, hardscape construction, and property maintenance to more than 100 clients. Yepez manages scheduling, customer communication, marketing, and finances.
American Star in Agriscience
Tessa Tauke of Beckman Catholic FFA in Earlville, Iowa, received the American Star in Agriscience award. Tauke began her research in eighth grade, investigating questions inspired by challenges on her family’s farm. Across five projects, she studied topics including agricultural equipment safety, black walnut toxicity, welding exposure, and treatments for bovine ringworm.
Her work led to research experiences with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa State University Dairy Farm and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
American Star in Agricultural Placement
Jaron Black of Streator FFA in Streator, Illinois, received the American Star in Agricultural Placement award. Black gained experience in crop production, agricultural mechanics, custom application, and agricultural transportation through his placement projects.
His responsibilities expanded from cleaning and moving equipment at Black Farms to managing repairs, operating combines and semitrucks, applying fertilizer and pesticides, and communicating with customers.
American Star Farmer
Cooper Kline of North Rock Creek FFA in Chandler, Oklahoma, received the American Star Farmer award. Kline expanded his swine operation from two sows to 28, managing breeding decisions, artificial insemination, nutrition, veterinary care, and marketing.
Through his business, Kline Swine, he raises several purebred and crossbred lines. He also established Kline Swine Sires, a business that collects, evaluates, packages, and markets fresh semen from his boars. Kline uses social media and industry relationships to develop customers.
New national officers elected
Convention delegates also elected six student officers to lead the National FFA Organization for the coming year.
The newly elected team includes President Josie Jennings of Ohio; Secretary Cameron Addington of Minnesota; Eastern Region Vice President Aiden Manley of Kentucky; Western Region Vice President Joshua Nelson of Idaho; Southern Region Vice President Jazmin Palma of North Carolina; and Central Region Vice President Teagan Erbele of North Dakota.
Candidates participated in an interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee before their selection.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
