Iowa inched closer towards naming its next top agriculture educator of the year with the selection of seven finalists for the Golden Owl Award.
Sponsored by the Iowa FFA Foundation, Nationwide Insurance and other agricultural partners, the Golden Owl Award recognizes outstanding work in agriculture education and promotes the importance of the field. This year, a record number of 468 nominations were submitted for exceptional agriculture educators in secondary and postsecondary education.
“Without a doubt, Iowa has top-notch ag teachers across the state who provide high-quality programming for our students,” said Matthew Eddy, agriculture education consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. “This award highlights not only individual achievements but also what Iowa offers as a whole in the area of agriculture education.”
Finalists for the 2023-24 Golden Owl Award include:
- Carlton Ness, South Hamilton Community School District
- Ashley Wolfe, Grinnell-Newburg Community School District
- John Daniels, Belle Plaine Community School District
- Barb Lemmer, Linn-Mar Community School District
- Amber Greiman, Hawkeye Community College
- Matthew Schroeder, Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District
- Casey Allen, Lenox Community School District
All finalists were announced individually at surprise events held by their home district or community college. Each finalist received an engraved plaque and $500 prize and are now in the running for the 2023-24 award, which includes a grand prize of $3,000 and the Golden Owl trophy.
“Ag educators help ensure that Iowa has skilled and future-ready talent to enter into the ag industry,” Eddy said. “It’s important that we recognize and celebrate their work, such as through the Golden Owl Award.”
Iowa is one of eleven states that honor top agriculture educators with the Golden Owl Award. Recent Golden Owl Award winners have included Emily Kruse from North Scott Community School District and Micah Weber from Rock Valley Community School District.
The 2023-24 Golden Owl Award grand prize winner will be named at the annual Iowa FFA Convention in April.
