Agricultural educators serve a critical role in preparing future generations for success. They also devote immeasurable time, and often their own resources, to help students pursue their passions.
To honor their efforts, insurance company Nationwide named nine exceptional teachers as their state’s 2022-2023 Ag Educator of the Year through the Golden Owl Award.
Students, parents, and community members originally nominated 900 agricultural educators across nine states for the awards. Of these teachers, 64 were recognized in their states as finalists.
Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award during the 2018-19 school year to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts.
Golden Owl Award grand prize winners and Ag Educators of the Year:
- California: Jason Ferreira, Hanford High School
- Illinois: Trent Tabor, Cambridge High School
- Indiana: Duane Huge, Danville High School
- Iowa: Emily Kruse, North Scott High School
- Nebraska: Randy Vlasin, Hayes Center Public Schools
- New York: Deb Fletcher, Cobleskill Richmondville Central School
- Ohio: Jeffrey Stimmel, Big Walnut-DACC FFA
- Pennsylvania: Michael Clark, Greenwood FFA
- South Dakota: Noelle Swanson, Northwestern Area School District
As grand prize winners, these teachers earn the title of their state’s Ag Educator of the Year, the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy, and $3,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs. Each finalist was also recognized in front of their school and awarded $500 for their program.
“These outstanding agricultural teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of their communities,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re committed to working with our state partners to honor these dedicated educators who continue to inspire future generations of agriculture leaders.”
As a top insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S., Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts.
In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA organization to further the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike.
