The National FFA Organization has selected for finalists for the organization’s top award: American Star Farmer.

Tom Eilertson is currently a senior at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. He is a member of the United South Central FFA Chapter and his FFA adviser is Dan Dylla. Eilertson’s agricultural project includes nearly 500 head of feeder cattle, stock cows, bulls and calves, 2,000 head of market hogs and 450 acres of hay and grain crops.

These awards recognize students who have developed outstanding agricultural skill and competency through their career development programs, demonstrated outstanding management skills, earned the American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of accomplishment, and met other agricultural education, scholarship and leadership requirements.

Each star finalist receives $2,000 from the National FFA Foundation and earns the opportunity to participate in an international trip to Costa Rica.

A panel of judges will interview the finalists and select one winner for each award at the 84th National FFA Convention, Oct. 19-22, in Indianapolis, Ind. Winners will receive an additional $2,000 award.