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As agricultural education programs across the country face growing demand, Nationwide and its state FFA partners are proud to recognize 13 exceptional agriculture teachers who are making a lasting impact in their classrooms and communities.

After receiving more than 4,600 nominations across 13 states and selecting 96 finalists for the 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award, Nationwide and its partners are proud to announce the Golden Owl Award grand prize winners and Ag Educators of the Year:

• California: Marc DeBernardi, Santa Maria High School
• Illinois: Ralph Allen, Mt. Pulaski High School
• Indiana: Jim Wildermuth, North Miami High School
• Iowa: Laura Brecht, Prairie High School of Cedar Rapids
• Kansas: Melisa Bertz, Prairie View High School
• Kentucky: Jacob Falwell, Calloway County High School
• Maryland: Kathy Wojcik, Applications and Research Laboratory
• Missouri: Scott Stone, Centralia High School
• Nebraska: Joel Miller, Hampon Public School
• New York: Amy Maxwell, Salem Central School District
• Ohio: Tom Holton, East Knox High School
• Pennsylvania: Krista Pontius, Greenwood High School  
• South Dakota: Dan Tonak, Willow Lake High School

Nationwide partnered with state FFA organizations to create the Golden Owl Award in 2018 to highlight the growing importance of ag educators and recognize the services of leading teachers. With 70 educators across 30 states leaving the profession in just two years¹, recognizing and supporting those preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders has never been more critical. The program provides funding to help support the teachers’ programs and elevate the learning opportunities for their students.

As grand prize winners, the 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.²

“These outstanding teachers exemplify passion and devotion to shaping the future of their communities,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Their tireless efforts inspire the next generation of agriculture leaders, and we’re proud to recognize their invaluable contributions as Ag Educators of the Year.”

The impact of these educators is evident in stories like that of Jeffrey Stimmell, Ohio’s 2023 Ag Educator of the Year. When he joined the Delaware Area Career Center in 2014 to lead the agricultural science program at Big Walnut Local Schools, the program had just 40 students. Today, enrollment has grown to more than 230. “Together, we work to show students the different ways they can get engaged in agriculture,” Stimmell shared.

Each year, the selected honorees, chosen by established state committees, are awarded $500^2,3 in recognition of their contributions. Nationwide also contributes $5,000 to each of the participating state FFA organizations.

To read more about the state honorees, see past winners, view the full list of partners, or learn about the nomination process in select states, visit GoldenOwlAward.com.

2024-25 Ohio Golden Owl Award Honorees

Alexis Howell, Evergreen FFA
Jaime Chenevey, West Holmes FFA
Nejla Shaheen, Bio-Med Science Academy FFA
Donna Hohman, Carey FFA
Alison Derringer, Twin Valley South-MVCTC FFA
Kris Guthrie, Ridgedale FFA
Tom Holton, East Knox FFA
Laura Kackley, Meadowbrook FFA
Jamie Loudon, Georgetown FFA
Haley Davis, New Lexington FFA

2025-2026 Golden Owl Award nominations open Sept. 1

Presented by Nationwide, 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. 2025-26 Golden Owl Award prizes include:

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

Learn more

^{[1] Stability in a Transitional Time: Factors Contributing to Agricultural Educator’s Decision to Remain in the Profession
[2] In accordance with Ohio law, cash prizes in Ohio are awarded to the winners’ school ag programs.
[3] Because of additional funding by AgCredit and Farm Credit Mid-America, cash prizes on behalf of the Ohio honorees and grand prize winners are $1,500 and $5,000, respectively.}