MURRAY, Ky. -- The Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture recently honored a number of high school students from the Purchase, Pennyrile and Green River regions as MSU FFA All-Region Stars based on the students' leadership in Future Farmers of America. A banquet was held on Murray State's campus in honor of the recipients on Nov. 28.

FFA advisers at individual schools could nominate two students -- one as an automatic recipient of the award and the second as an at-large nomination (not all at-large nominees were chosen for the award). Additionally, Purchase and Pennyrile FFA regional officers were selected for an All-Region Stars award.

Students honored this year come from a number of high schools in the region: Ballard Memorial, Calloway County, Carlisle County, Fulton County, Graves County, Hickman County, Livingston Central, Marshall County, McCracken County and Trigg County in the Purchase Region; Caldwell County, Christian County, Crittenden County, Hopkins County Central, Hopkinsville, Lyon County, Madisonville North Hopkins, Muhlenberg County and Todd County in the Pennyrile Region; and Henderson and Webster County schools in the Green River Region. Students from counties in the Green River region outside of Murray State's 18-county service region were not eligible.

Dr. Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture created the award program three years ago as a way to acknowledge FFA students in Murray State's service area for their accomplishments. Each FFA All-Region Star receives a plaque. FFA advisers are also recognized for their service to their students and Future Farmers of America.

The guest speaker at the banquet was Mr. Arthur Green, retired Todd County High School agriculture teacher. Green is an MSU Hutson School of Agriculture Outstanding Alumnus for 2016.