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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eight Indiana Agricultural Teachers Named Finalists for Golden Owl Award(R)

Finalists recognized for their contributions and awarded funding to advance their ag programs
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 25, 2025) – Educators devote limitless time, and often their own resources, to helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of Indiana’s leading agricultural teachers, Farm Credit Mid-America and Nationwide are honoring eight exceptional teachers as finalists for the
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Golden Owl Award .


From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 nominations were collected for the state’s top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across Indiana.


Indiana’s 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award finalists are:
- Jamie Earnhart, Central Noble
- Chris Kaufman, Westfield
- Jeff Miller, Sullivan
- Janna Morgan, North Putnam
- Rebekah Peterson, DeKalb
- Kenna Slough, Shakamak
- McCord Snider, East Central
- Jim Wildermuth, North MiamiEach finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $500 check to support future educational efforts. Next, they’ll be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as Indiana’s Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.


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 13 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, 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 also donating $5,000 to Indiana FFA to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

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About Nationwide

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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 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.

About ISDA

The
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Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) reports to
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Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith , Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.

ISDA Media Contact:

Amanda Mullins, Assistant Director IN FFA

Email:
mailto: [email protected] ?subject=
[email protected]



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