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Caleb Hickman of Utica FFA was recently awarded the Golden Owl Award for District 7 of the Ohio FFA. Hickman, in his second year of teaching agricultural education, has grown the Utica FFA program to the point a second teacher was added to accommodate the number of students wanting to participate in the program. 

Agricultural educators are influential in creating a great experience locally for each of their students and it is an honor to recognize them.

As the committee reviewed the nominations, there were many stories that stood out but a few were highlighted at the presentation:

“Mr Hickman truly loves teaching and it shows to all of his kids. He pushes them to do their best and to try new things. He is passionate about agriculture and it is contagious to his students. He has grown our program tremendously over the last year to the point we had to hire a second ag teacher.”

Another read, “He is so much fun and a breath of fresh air for our staff.”

And finally, “Mr Hickman is the most passionate and patient teacher I have ever met. He makes sure every student knows what they should without being too hard on them. He has impacted mine and others lives greatly. My point is Mr Hickman always goes the extra mile. He believes and supports his students’ dreams. He makes his students feel like they belong.”

From here, Mr. Hickman is in the running for the Ag Educator of the Year award which will be announced at the Ohio FFA Convention in May

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.