News : Iowa FFA Announces 2025 Stars Over Iowa Finalists

The 2025 Stars Over Iowa Finalists were selected for recognition as part of the 97th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, April 13-15, 2025. Twenty finalists were selected in four different areas: Agribusiness, Agricultural Placement, Agricultural Production and Agriscience. The finalists were selected from a pool of more than 900 FFA members that will earn the Iowa FFA Degree- the highest honor the Iowa FFA Association can bestow upon an FFA member.

The star awards recognize students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their career development programs and demonstrated outstanding management skills. These finalists will be interviewed and an overall winner in each area will be announced on stage during the 4th General Session of the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference Tuesday, April 15th.

Stars Over Iowa finalists receive a plaque and a cash award. The Stars Over Iowa program is possible with support from Beck's Hybrids through the Iowa FFA Foundation. Listed below are the Stars Over Iowa Finalists.

Star Finalists in Agribusiness:

Jacob Nabb, Maquoketa

Belle Werner, Van Horne

Andrew Pingenot, Vinton

Lauren Schroeder, Wheatland

Star Finalists in Agriscience:

Sydney Groene, Eldridge

Jagger Ferrie, Jewell

Clark Spencer, Stanton

Valerie Rahe, Dyersville

Star Finalists in Agricultural Placement:

Katlin Truelsen, DeWitt

Caden Wittrock, Paullina

Cael Daufeldt, West Liberty

Kassidy Olson, Coon Rapids

Star Finalists in Agricultural Production:

Jackson Ruzicka, Charles City

Kathlena Oswald, Murray

Cale Jensen, Nashua

Charlie Lane, Preston

About Iowa FFA Association

The Iowa FFA Association is a youth organization of more than 20,200 student members as part of 270 local FFA chapters across Iowa. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Iowa FFA Association was organized by delegates from 23 schools at Iowa State College on May 17, 1929 and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The Iowa Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the Iowa FFA Association online at IowaFFA.com and on social media.