What Stars Over Kansas Is
Stars Over Kansas is the Kansas FFA luncheon that celebrates the state's top Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) achievers, the members who earn the State Star awards. It is held on the closing day of the state convention at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan, and it requires a ticket or pre-registration. The Kansas FFA Association runs it.
The most recent luncheon was Friday, May 29, 2026 at noon in Banquet Rooms A and D of the K-State Alumni Center, part of the closing day of the 98th Kansas FFA Convention. The next convention is June 1-4, 2027; the 2027 luncheon time and room have not been announced.
The Three State Star Awards
| Award | Based on | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Star Farmer | Production agriculture SAE earnings; requires SAE-Entrepreneurship pages | Kansas Farm Bureau |
| Star in Agribusiness | Entrepreneurial SAE earnings coming mainly (more than half) from supplies and services to and from the agricultural and natural resources industry | U Bank |
| Star in Ag Placement | Placement SAE earnings, not counting entrepreneurship earnings; requires SAE-Placement pages and an SAE related to agriculture enterprises | Farm Credit |
Kansas FFA recognizes members who excel in attitude, involvement, community service and SAE. Finalists have shown skill in production, finance and management.
Who Can Apply and When
- The same eligibility applies as for proficiency awards: members may apply while in high school or within one year after graduating.
- A student must apply for Star in the same year they apply for their State Degree.
- Each district selects one qualified candidate whose application and record book were correct at District Review Day, and districts may nominate a candidate in each of the three categories.
- District candidate applications are due to the state by March 15.
- Full details are in the State Degree Handbook, and the Star rubrics are linked on the Kansas FFA Star Awards page.
Recent Winners
The 2025 State Stars were Dustin Denton of Valley Heights FFA (Star Farmer, beef entrepreneurship and placement, managing a herd of 32 mature cows), Ethan Kneisler of Lyndon FFA (Star in Agribusiness, with a custom baleage wrapping business and a cattle clipping, fitting and artificial insemination service) and Tucker Leck of Neodesha FFA (Star in Ag Placement, working at a family enterprise raising show pigs, French Bulldogs and eggs).
Where
K-State Alumni Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. In 2026 the luncheon was in Banquet A and D, and the day also included the final general sessions of the convention.
Questions
Do I need a ticket?
Yes. Pre-registration or a ticket is required.
Is a Star the same as a proficiency award?
No. Proficiency awards honor a member's work in a specific area, with 45 areas offered. The three Stars are based on SAE earnings and records. The Proficiency Award Luncheon is held the day before.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- Kansas FFA State Star Awards: categories, eligibility, deadline and sponsors
- Kansas FFA members named Stars Over Kansas (2025)
- 98th convention schedule
- 2026 tentative schedule (PDF)
- 2027 state events
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.