National FFA Organization Names 2018 American Star Award Finalists

Jefferson County's Jarret Moser Among Finalists

Jarret Moser inside

Today, the National FFA Organization selected 16 students from throughout the United States as finalists for its 2018 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience.

The American Star Awards represents 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 through the completion of 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 finalists and select one winner for each award at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 24-27 in Indianapolis. The four winners will be announced during an onstage ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 25.

Case IH, Elanco and Syngenta sponsor the American FFA Degree recognition program.

The finalists include:

American Star Farmer

Adam Eichacker of the McCook Central FFA Chapter in South Dakota

Dylan Finken of the Max FFA Chapter in North Dakota

Austin Stanton of the Centralia FFA Chapter in Missouri

Laura Stobb of the Milaca FFA Chapter in Minnesota

American Star in Agribusiness

Benjamin Curtin of the Taylorville FFA Chapter in Illinois

Aaron Deunk of the Norris FFA Chapter in Nebraska

Conner Watts of the Slaton FFA Chapter in Texas

Brady Womack of the Morris FFA Chapter in Oklahoma

American Star in Agricultural Placement

Gracie Danner of the West Liberty FFA Chapter in Iowa

Landon Herring of the Lowndes County FFA Chapter in Georgia

Jarret Moser of the Jefferson County FFA Chapter in Tennessee

Colin Wegner of the United South Central FFA in Minnesota

American Star in Agriscience

Adrienne Blakey of the Stillwater FFA Chapter in Oklahoma

Katherine Marie Fazzino of the Rudder FFA Chapter in Texas

Eric Koehlmoos of the South O’Brien FFA Chapter in Iowa

Katheryn Vacula of the Big Foot FFA Chapter in Wisconsin