Golden Owl Award

The Golden Owl Award® recognizes outstanding agricultural educators in several states, including Ohio.

Presented by Nationwide®, the Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau®, Farm Credit Mid-America and AgCredit, the Golden Owl Award recognizes agricultural educators across Ohio for their tremendous contributions to helping the next generation of agricultural leaders. Students, fellow teachers and other supporters can nominate their favorite agricultural teacher and summarize what makes him or her the best in the state.

Nominees have an opportunity to win the title of Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year and great cash prizes for their school’s ag program. 2023-24 Golden Owl Award prizes include:

  • One (1) Grand Prize Winner: Trophy and $5,000 cash prize to winner’s school/FFA chapter
  • Ten (10) Honorees: Plaque and $1,500 cash prize to honoree’s school/FFA chapter

View the award rules.

Nominations for the 2023-24 Golden Owl Award have closed. The nomination window for the 2024-25 Golden Owl Award will open September 2024.

Learn more about the award and find Ohio’s past Golden Owl Award winners and honorees at nationwide.com/golden-owl-award.

2023-24 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year: will be announced at the Ohio FFA Convention

2023-24 Golden Owl Award Honorees
Jessie Schulze, Delta FFA
Tod Fox, Ashland FFA
Tom Mazzaro, Pymatuning Valley FFA
Julie Stawowy, Old Fort FFA
Dena Wuebker, Versailles FFA
Tom Jolliff, North Union FFA
Caleb Hickman, Utica FFA
Tyler Lones, Sheridan FFA
Chyann Kendel, Talawanda-Butler Tech FFA
Rob Brokaw, New Lexington FFA

2022-23 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year: Jeffrey Stimmell, Big Walnut-DACC FFA
2021-22 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year: Barrett Zimmerman, Clyde FFA
2020-21 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year: Don Hammersmith, Ayersville FFA
2019-20 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year: Christi Bachman, Bloom-Carroll FFA
2018-19 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year: John Poulson, Pettisville FFA