Calling for Nominations: 11 states open their search for top agricultural educators
Nominations are now open for the Golden Owl Award® to recognize extraordinary agricultural teachers across the country1
Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers. To honor their contributions and award them with additional resources, each participating state’s FFA organization, with the support of Nationwide and other partners, are now accepting nominations for the 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award. The award recognizes leading agricultural teachers across 11 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.
To nominate an ag teacher for the 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.
Following the state’s nomination period for 2023-2024, a selection committee will determine each state’s finalists, who will receive an individualized plaque and $500 to support their agriculture programs. One grand prize winner in each state will then be selected to win the Ag Educator of the Year title for their state, the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy, and an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check.2
Nationwide initiated the Golden Owl Award in 2018. After recognizing 64 outstanding ag teachers in 2022-2023, including nine Ag Educators of the Year, the award program has expanded to include Kansas and Missouri.
“The Golden Owl Award seeks to thank agricultural teachers for the extraordinary care they bring to their work as they go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We encourage students, parents, fellow teachers and others to nominate their beloved agricultural teachers to acknowledge their hard work.”
Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA organization to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
To learn more or nominate an ag teacher for the 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.
1 California Golden Owl nomination period is Sept. 1 – Jan. 16, 2024. Illinois Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Nov. 15, 2023. Indiana Golden Owl Award nomination period is Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Iowa Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 1, 2023. Kansas Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Missouri Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 20 – Dec. 31, 2023. Nebraska Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. New York Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Nov. 15, 2023. Ohio Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Pennsylvania Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. South Dakota nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023.
2 Ohio finalists will receive a personalized plaque and $1,500 to fund their programs. Ohio’s Ag Educator of the Year title will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $5,000 to help fund future educational efforts for their program. Ohio’s partners, Farm Credit Mid-America and AgCredit, provided funding for the increase in prize money. In accordance with Ohio law, cash prizes in Ohio are awarded to the winner’s school ag program.