Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor an agricultural educator of the year. In this first year, Nationwide partnered with Farm Bureau, Ohio FFA and Iowa FFA to introduce the accolade in Ohio and Iowa.

Ten teachers from Ohio and seven from Iowa were selected as honorees, receiving a $500 prize and entrance into the final selection stage. One honoree from each state then will be chosen for the grand prize, winning the Golden Owl Award and $3,000.

Chosen as one of the finalists for the Golden Owl Award in Ohio is Tom Holton, FFA teacher from East Knox High School in Howard, Ohio.  Tom has taught the FFA and ag program for 36 years at East Knox and his students have won many awards and competitions.

ffa-awards

A check for $500 and a plaque was presented on Friday, Dec. 21 at East Knox by Kari and John Ball, Kent Fisher, and Andy Hollenback, representing Nationwide Insurance; and Kayla Jones from Knox County Farm Bureau.

Congratulations to Tom and good luck in the finals!

holton-with-check

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Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

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The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

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Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

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Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

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So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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