Golden Owl Award

Nominate Your Favorite Missouri Ag Educator

The Missouri FFA Foundation is proud to present the Golden Owl Award® which recognizes outstanding agricultural educators in several states, including Missouri.

Presented by Nationwide® and FCS Financial the Golden Owl Award recognizes agricultural educators across Missouri for their tremendous contributions to helping the next generation of agricultural leaders. Students, parents, fellow teachers, administrators, and other supporters can nominate their favorite agricultural teacher by summarizing what makes the teacher the best in the state.

Nominees have an opportunity to win the title of Missouri Agricultural Educator of the Year and great cash prizes. 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award prizes include:

- - One (1) Grand Prize Winner: Trophy and $3,000 cash prize
  - Seven (7) Honorees: Plaque, framed certificate and $500 cash prize
  - Eighteen (18) Semi-finalists: Electronic certificate and $250 cash prize

View Award Rules

2026 Golden Owl Semi-Finalists

JOHNNY VIEBROCK, Smithville

ERICA HART, Kearney

JARRED SAYRE, Milan

CHRISTINA TERRY, Mexico

MARY LEYKAMP, Montgomery Co. R-II

MARTHA SCHREIMAN, Santa Fe

TAMMY BARTHOLOMEW, Miami

SHELBY HAAG, Pettis Co. R-V

MICHAEL LEE, Golden City

JIM PHILLIPS, Stockton

KRISTY SIVILS, Aurora

SARAH PETERSON, Mansfield

JON WILSON, Gainesville

DANIELLE BLAIR, Union

NICK NORDWALD, Sikeston CTC

KYLE MABURY, Clearwater

JACK GREEN, NCMC

JENNY BRADLEY, North Shelby

Nomination Details

To nominate a teacher, complete the form below with both your and the teacher’s contact information. To complete the nomination, please write a brief (250 words or less) essay describing how the teacher’s dedication and commitment to agriculture education makes him or her the best in the state.

Nominations will be judged based on the following criteria:

Teacher’s dedication to agriculture education
Teacher’s commitment to his/her student(s)
Teacher’s impact on his/her student(s)
Teacher’s impact on their local community
Teacher’s impact on the agriculture industry
Number of nominations for the teacher

Nominate An Educator Here

Thank you for your interest, Golden Owl nominations have closed for this year.

Please check back as we recognize selected educators.

2025 Golden Owl Winner

SCOTT STONE, CENTRALIA

Scott was nominated for this award by students, parents, fellow teachers and other supporters across the state. Sponsored by Nationwide, the Golden Owl Award recognizes excellence in the field of agricultural education.

Thank you Nationwide and congratulations to all of this year’s finalists!

2025 Golden Owl Finalists

SCOTT STONE, Centralia

RANDY PLATTNER, Chillicothe

GARY REICHEL, California

RYLYN SMALL, East Prairie

JAY SHEPHERD, Mount Vernon

TONYA JEDLICKA, West Plains

MICHAEL SLATER, Chillicothe

For More Details or Ways to Give