The Golden Owl Award® recognizes extraordinary teachers and supports future educational efforts
On Feb. 11, New York FFA and Nationwide honored Taylor Bogardus, an agricultural teacher at Schoharie Jr./Sr. High School, as a finalist for the 2021-2022 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award. As a finalist, Mrs. Bogardus was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of fellow teachers and students, as well as NY Ag Commissioner Richard Ball, and now has the chance to be crowned as New York’s Ag Educator of the Year.
Agricultural educators serve a critical role in preparing future generations for success. They also devote immeasurable time, and often their own resources, to help students pursue their passions.
As the No. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S., Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This year, the award program honors outstanding ag educators in seven states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Between August 1st and November 1st, 2021, the New York FFA and Nationwide collected nominations for New York’s top agricultural teachers from students, parents and community members across the state. Following the recognition of 11 finalists, a selection committee will honor one finalist as New York’s grand prize winner and Ag Educator of the Year. The winner will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to support the development of their program.
“As we continue to increase the number of Agriculture programs and FFA chapters across the state, it is vital to our success that we have outstanding agricultural educators and FFA advisors to meet the need,” said Derek Hill, New York FFA Director. “We are proud to partner with Nationwide to recognize the amazing working and dedication our agriculture teachers do across this state. Congratulations!”
Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
“As a company with deep roots in agriculture, we recognize the essential role agricultural teachers play in their communities and for the future of the industry,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re proud to work with the New York FFA to recognize these selfless public servants for their many contributions to help prepare the next generation of leaders.”
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 and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About FFA
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education. For more information regarding FFA, please visit either www.nysffa.org or www.ffa.org. Follow us on Facebook.