MFL MarMac senior Caleb Zuercher is the 2026 Stars Over Iowa winner. The award is the highest honor in the Iowa FFA and marks Zuercher as one of the state’s top ag education students and FFA members.
Zuercher was one of four finalists out of 21 applicants for this prestigious award, which MFL MarMac agriculture teacher Sarah Plaht said is an honor in itself. He was named the overall winner at the state leadership conference in Ames at the end of April.
“All four finalists interviewed for the chance to be named the overall winner,” Plaht explained. “Caleb, his parents, [MFL MarMac superintendent] Mr. Dugger and myself were all on stage at Hilton Coliseum during state convention in front of over 6,000 members and guests. His SAE project and FFA involvement were featured in a video on the jumbotron, along with the four other finalists. When Caleb was announced as the winner, it was a moment I’m sure he will never forget.”
For Caleb, this journey began his freshman year of high school, when he started participating in FFA events. He applied to be a Northeast District officer his sophomore year, and continued that as a junior. During that time, he also began work on four separate supervised agricultural experiences, or SAEs, with Zuercher Farms, Zuercher Ag Sales, Palas Service and Repair and Mobile Track Solutions.
Each SAE is tracked in a record book system, including the number of hours, earnings and money spent.
“It’s kind of like your bank statement: a proven income, proven expenses, things like that,” Zuercher explained. “Then, within that record book keeping, that’s where you apply for your awards. I knew I wanted to apply for some awards so I could finish out my senior year.”
Zuercher’s sheer number of SAEs put him in a strong position against other FFA members around the state.
“To get out and do that many, it’s really rare,” he said. “Most students focus on one project, however, every year of high school I tried to do a different one just so I could get more experiences.”
Along with being a Stars Over Iowa finalist, Zuercher was one of six MFL MarMac FFA members—including Will Howes, Aidan Meyer, Grace Palas, Adrianna Schoulte and Blake Schutte—who earned their Iowa FFA Degrees this year.
The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest degree the state can bestow upon a member. Requirements to receive it include being an active FFA member for at least two years, earning and productively investing $1,500 or working 375 hours in a supervised ag experience, completing 25 hours of community service, demonstrating leadership and having a satisfactory scholastic record, and participating in at least five FFA activities above the chapter level.
“Along with the Star application goes the Iowa Degree. You have to get that your same year,” Zuercher said. “It’s a lot in one year—a lot of writing, a lot of typing and telling everybody about yourself.”
According to Iowa FFA, Stars over Iowa represents the best among hundreds of Iowa FFA Degree recipients. Applicants must possess exemplary involvement and achievement in the areas of classroom/laboratory, FFA and SAE.
Plaht is proud of Zuercher for being the Stars Over Iowa winner this year.
“This reflects his dedication to FFA and agriculture education. He has put in a lot of extra hours throughout high school, whether through his SAE project, serving as a Northeast District officer for two years and serving our chapter as an officer as well. He deserves this accolade as well as any other recognition that goes along with it. I know he will continue to succeed in college and beyond,” she shared.
Zuercher is proud as well. He said it’s a testament to hard work.
“I know what it takes to do things the hard way, I would say. I didn’t pick one SAE—I picked four SAEs,” he said. “I didn’t take the easy route, and I think that will carry with me in life. You know, you can’t just always take the easy way. And I hope other kids and students see that too.”
Zuercher hopes his success—and that of his classmates—also inspires younger students to pursue their Iowa FFA Degrees and even the Stars Over Iowa title. He’s willing to help others meet their goals.
“I’m willing to come back and help kids further their records and help them achieve more goals, apply for a Star, apply for a proficiency award or get their Iowa Degree,” he said. “I feel like the more you get your name out there and your chapter’s name out there, you’re very well represented.”
In doing so, students might find their place in FFA like he did.
“The biggest thing that pushed me to do FFA was I really never found sports or anything else in high school to be my thing,” Zuercher reflected. “But I really found that putting on the blue jacket was.”
