For the tenth time in the history of the FFA and the Future Farmers of America- an Oklahoma member has claimed the title of American Star Farmer- the oldest and original Star award. Ryder Klaassen of Hydro-Eakly heard his name called on stage in Lucas Oil Stadium Friday night as he was named the Star Farmer of America for 2025.
Klaassen’s SAE includes producing wheat, black-eyed peas, mungbeans, cotton, corn, and a beef cattle operation consisting of cow/calf, stocker, and show cattle programs. He farms 420 rented acres in a wheat-summer crop rotation, strategically choosing legumes like black-eyed peas and mungbeans to improve soil health, shorten the growing season, and provide winter pasture for his cattle. Klaassen has transitioned from relying on his parents’ advice to independently managing all production, marketing, and financial decisions, including securing specialty crop contracts with companies like Del Monte and international buyers.
Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays talked with Ryder in Indianapolis ahead of the Friday night Stars Presentation- listen to their conversation by clicking on the link below:
When discussing his specialty crops, Ryder explained how the operation evolved and the partnerships that make it possible. “With the mung beans, I have a broker, Tyrone Wilson with JLee Corporation in Hennessey that does all my financing work for me,” he said. He also shared that his black-eyed peas go to “Ricky Jett there in Binger, Oklahoma, with Jet Co. Industry.” He credited his crop consultant, “Howard Bartel… he’s the one that gives me recommendations of what crops I should grow every single year, but I still make the final call every single time.”
Ryder emphasized the challenges of marketing and managing specialty crops. “That’s the main challenge,” he admitted, “trying to find who can buy this crop for us.” He also explained the production difficulties of mung beans: “Weed management is very, very difficult with this crop, once we sow it, we’re not supposed to spray any herbicide or pesticide on it.” Despite those obstacles, the 75-day crop allows him to implement “a three-crop rotation with my cattle, mung beans, and wheat.”
On the cattle side, Ryder manages 17 spring-calving cows and uses wheat pasture when conditions allow. He explained, “In the past, I’ve always taken them out to wheat pasture and then go buy some of my father’s or my grandparents’ calves.” However, he noted that recent drought conditions in Oklahoma have limited that practice, saying, “I haven’t had the opportunity to do that just because Oklahoma has seen a significant drought issue over the past two or three years.”
Ryder’s FFA journey has shaped both his leadership and career goals. “Back when I was in high school with the Hydro-Eakly FFA Chapter, I was involved in a lot of things… livestock judging, trap shooting, showing, public speaking,” he shared. Now a student at Oklahoma State University, Ryder is majoring in agricultural business with a minor in animal science and a concentration in farm and ranch management. His long-term goal is to “move back home and continue on the farming operation… and try to become a commodity stock broker to help agriculturists within the industry.” As he concluded, “I want to continue staying in this industry. It’s been very helpful for me.”
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