California Ag Network

Tag: Nationwide

  • Nominate Local California Teachers for Top Ag Educator Award

    Agricultural educators play a crucial role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry. In recognition of their invaluable contributions and to offer additional resources for their programs, Nationwide introduced the Golden Owl Award in 2018.

    Since its inception, the Golden Owl Award has awarded nearly half a million dollars to support teachers, students, and FFA programs. Last year, there were over 3,500 nominations across 11 participating states. Due to its positive impact and popularity, the award is expanding this year to include Kentucky and Maryland.

    “Agricultural educators are so much more than teachers; they’re community servants who are shaping the leaders of tomorrow,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Together with our partners, we encourage students, parents, fellow teachers and other community members to nominate their agricultural teachers to acknowledge their hard work.”

    The California FFA Foundation, in partnership with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau, is now accepting nominations for California’s top agricultural teachers for a chance to be named as the Ag Educator of the Year. Nominate any California agricultural educator for the 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award from September 1, 2024, through January 17, 2025.

    After the nomination period closes on January 17, a selection committee will evaluate nominations and select six finalists in California. These finalists will be recognized in front of their peers and students, receiving a personalized plaque and $500 award. One finalist will then be chosen as the grand prize winner, earning the 2024-2025 Agricultural Educator of the Year title for California, along with the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 to help fund future educational efforts.

    Highlighting the profound influence of the FFA, California Farm Bureau President and FFA alumna Shannon Douglass emphasized the significant impact it has on shaping leaders in agriculture. “Farm Bureau sees first hand the tremendous impact that FFA makes, as many of our current leaders across agriculture have roots in FFA,” reflected Douglass. “We are so appreciative of the hard-working ag teachers who provide a great foundation for FFA members that in turn benefits all of agriculture.”

    The 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award recognized 79 exceptional agricultural teachers, including 11 Ag Educators of the Year. This year, the award program will recognize leading agricultural teachers across 13 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.

    Nationwide is committed to supporting the future of agriculture through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the California FFA Foundation, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

    The owl, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, is one of the five symbols in the FFA emblem. It inspired the name of the Golden Owl Award program, reflecting the dedication and investment agriculture teachers make to empower their students.

    To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit GoldenOwlAward.com.

    About the California FFA Foundation

    The California FFA Foundation serves more than 104,000 California students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

    About Nationwide

    Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

  • Six California Ag Teachers Named Finalists for Golden Owl Award®

    Educators devote countless time, and often their own resources, to helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of California’s leading agricultural teachers, the California FFA Foundation, in partnership with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau, is honoring six exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.

    From September 1 through January 16, nominations were collected for top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across California.

    Highlighting the profound influence of the FFA, California Farm Bureau President and FFA alumna Shannon Douglass emphasized the significant impact it has on shaping leaders in agriculture. “Farm Bureau sees first hand the tremendous impact that FFA makes, as many of our current leaders across agriculture have roots in FFA,” reflected Douglass. “We are so appreciative of the hard-working ag teachers who provide a great foundation for FFA members that in turn benefits all of agriculture.”

    California’s 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award finalists are:

    • Daniel Crookham, Exeter FFA
    • Rebecca Freeman, Lodi-Tokay FFA
    • Randy Mendes, St. Helena FFA
    • Deanna Morton, Shandon FFA
    • Rick Neugebauer, McArthur-Fall River FFA
    • Marlisa Nordstrom, Buena Park FFA

    Each finalist will be presented with an individualized plaque and a $500 check in front of fellow teachers, students, and supporters at the 2024 State FFA Leadership Conference, March 21-24 in Sacramento. All finalists will be considered for California’s Ag Educator of the Year Award, earning an additional $3,000 and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy. The winner will be announced on stage at the conference.

    “California FFA is thrilled to collaborate with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau in honoring exceptional agricultural educators and FFA Advisors,” stated Charles Parker, State FFA Advisor. “The six state finalists showcase extraordinary commitment to equipping students with foundational skills, leadership qualities, and essential knowledge for the future. These educators extend beyond traditional classroom instruction, ensuring students are thoroughly prepared for success.”

    Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support their programs with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This year, the award program honors outstanding ag educators in eleven states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.

    “As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, we are proud to thank and honor these hardworking agricultural teachers for their dedication,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “These educators play a crucial role in preparing students for successful careers in the industry.”

    In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is contributing $5,000 to the California FFA Foundation, enhancing support for the personal and professional development of both students and advisors.

    About the California FFA Foundation
    California FFA Foundation serves more than 103,000 California students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through educational education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

    About Nationwide

    Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities, mutual funds and ETFs; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.