13 teachers named ’25 Golden Owl Ag Educators of the Year

As agricultural education programs across the country face growing demand, Nationwide and its state FFA partners are recognizing 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, the Golden Owl Award grand prize winners and Ag Educators of the Year are:

• 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 years, 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, a Golden Owl Award trophy, and $3,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs.

“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.