The 2024 Stars Over Iowa Winners were announced at the 96th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Iowa State University on April 16, 2024. One Star Over Iowa was selected in each of four different areas: Agricultural Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience, and Agricultural Production.

Jeramiah Rediske of the Decorah FFA Chapter is the 2024 Star in Agriculture Production winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a production agriculture area.

Rediske is in charge of a beef production operation where he has 60 head of registered and commercial cattle. He produces market and breeding stock animals both to grow his herd and to make a profit. He currently has 44 breeding cows and heifers, 2 bulls, and 14 commercial feeder calves. He has also been able to buy some of his own equipment to improve his operation. In addition, he has been buying different minerals and feeds to make his cattle more efficient. Rediske’s future plans for this operation is to grow enough to turn it into a full-time occupation. He would also like to expand his feedlot and potentially buy more cattle to fill it as well as obtaining more breeding stock and calving in more cows.

In FFA his freshman year, Rediske competed at the state level in job interview and earned third place with his conduct of the meetings team. After graduation, he will be attending Buena Vista University studying agriculture business and animal science as well as playing soccer at the collegiate level.

“This award represents a significant achievement within the FFA as it reflects on the quality of Jeramiah’s supervised agricultural experience (ag work-based learning) and his FFA involvement,” remarked Decorah FFA Advisor Joni Bruvold. “We couldn’t be prouder of him for this extraordinary accomplishment. His commitment to excellence in his supervised agricultural experiences and his contributions to our FFA chapter have been outstanding. We eagerly anticipate witnessing his continued growth and success, particularly in expanding his beef cattle operation.”

Rediske is the son of James and Amy Rediske. His chapter advisor is Ms. Joni Bruvold. His high school principal is Mr. Brad Hurst, his activities director is Mr. Adam Riley, and his superintendent is Dr. Tim Cronin.

The Stars Over Iowa program is made possible with support from Beck’s Hybrids through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The National FFA Foundation sponsors cash awards for the overall star winners.

Star Over Iowa Finalist and State Winner – Jeramiah Rediske

Superintendent Dr. Cronin, James Rediske, Jeramiah Rediske, Amy Rediske, Advisor Joni Bruvold