2026 stars awards, new officers named at 100th Oklahoma FFA Convention
The 100th Oklahoma FFA Convention celebrated the accomplishments, leadership and future of agricultural education in Oklahoma as thousands of members gathered May 5 to 6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to honor the state’s top FFA students and elect a new slate of state officers.
One of the convention’s highest honors was the announcement of the 2026 Stars Over Oklahoma, recognizing the top supervised agricultural experience programs in Agriscience, Ag Placement, Agribusiness and Ag Production. Each recipient received a $29,484 scholarship from the Carl C. Anderson Trust as well as the Governor’s Trophy.
Oklahoma Star Farmer: Joel Parker, Cherokee FFA
Named the 2026 Oklahoma Star Farmer, Joel Parker has built an impressive cow-calf operation through determination, persistence and careful herd management.
Parker began expanding his SAE during his sophomore year by retaining replacement heifers and steadily growing his herd from within. He said he calved-out and raised all of his cow herd.
That strategy allowed him to create a self-sustaining cattle program focused on long-term growth and genetic improvement. Along the way, Parker learned valuable lessons through experience, including an early mistake of not using a heifer bull on his young females.
Since then, Parker has become more intentional with breeding decisions by studying expected progeny differences and purchasing his own bull to better manage genetics.
Star in Agribusiness: Zach Allen, Guthrie FFA
Zach Allen turned a birthday lawn mower into a thriving business enterprise through his company, A to Z Lawn Care.
The Guthrie FFA member has grown the business from the ground up while learning the challenges that come with entrepreneurship and leadership. Allen currently employs seven workers and says employee management has become one of his biggest learning experiences.
He said employee management has been a difficult learning curve for him, but he is improving his management skills continually.
Allen also emphasizes strong customer service by staying connected with clients, encouraging feedback, and using social media to build relationships. His next goal is ambitious, reaching $100,000 in annual revenue.
Star in Ag Placement: Faith Wright, Stratford FFA
For Faith Wright, agricultural placement experiences helped shape both technical skills and a passion for customer interaction. Wright had two major projects, one working for a diversified livestock production farm, and then the other is working at a fruit and vegetable roadside stand in the Stratford area.
While her livestock experience strengthened her agricultural knowledge, Wright found herself especially drawn to the fast-paced environment of the roadside produce stand during peach season.
That interaction ultimately helped determine the direction she wanted to pursue. She said she enjoys selling direct to consumers and the one-on-one conservations she has with customers.
Star in Agriscience: Madilyn Bishop, Stillwater FFA
Madilyn Bishop transformed a simple curiosity about incubating eggs into five years of detailed agriscience research. She started her first agriscience project in eighth grade, wanted to learn how often chicken eggs needed to be turned in the incubator.
Since then, she has conducted a new project every year including egg freshness, fertility, and the use of technology in animal science, all with a focus on poultry science.
Bishop said FFA also helped her develop leadership skills and confidence through public speaking and leadership development events She plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in agribusiness and animal science with an emphasis on reproduction.
New state officer team elected
Convention delegates also elected the 2026-2027 Oklahoma FFA Association officer team during the closing session on May 6. Coy Davidson of the Elgin FFA Chapter was elected state president and will lead nearly 31,000 Oklahoma FFA members during the coming year.
Davidson is an agricultural economics major at Oklahoma State University and previously served as the 2025-2026 Oklahoma FFA secretary.
Joining Davidson on the 2026-2027 state officer team are:
- Kaden Pliler, Purcell FFA, secretary
- Colby Barnes, Balko FFA, reporter
- Sloane McIntire, Skiatook FFA, northeast area vice president
- Annie Schneider, Seiling FFA, northwest area vice president
- Jace Myers, Perkins-Tryon FFA, central area vice president
- Aspen Chumley, Byng FFA, southeast area vice president
- Makayla Morris, Chickasha FFA, southwest area vice president
To learn more about Oklahoma FFA, visit ww.okffa.org.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
