Golden Owl Award sponsor representatives from Ohio FFA, Nationwide, Ohio Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America, and AgCredit visited Big Walnut High School recently to honor Jeff Stimmell, agricultural educator and FFA advisor (pictured with plaque).
Lauren Corry | Ohio FFA
SUNBURY – Agricultural educators play an essential and selfless role in the communities they serve. As they prepare future generations for successful careers, many also devote countless hours and often their own resources to make a difference.
On Feb. 16, Jeff Stimmell, an agricultural teacher at Big Walnut High School, was honored as a finalist for the 2022-2023 Ag Educator of the Year honor through the Golden Owl Award.
As a finalist, Stimmell was presented with a plaque in front of fellow teachers and students, and the Big Walnut-DACC FFA Chapter will receive $500 to help support future educational efforts. Stimmell will then have the chance to be crowned as Ohio’s Ag Educator of the Year in May during the 95th Ohio FFA Convention and earn an additional $3,000 for his school’s agriculture program.
“Ohio is home to many outstanding ag teachers. We are so glad to highlight and recognize 10 honorees for their ongoing commitment to student success,” said Jessica Parrish, executive director of the Ohio FFA Foundation. “This award brings together statewide partners and the local school community to honor teachers for being a foundational part of the local FFA experience for students.”
From September to December 2022, the Golden Owl Award accumulated more than 500 nominations in Ohio from local students, fellow teachers, parents and community members.
The Golden Owl Award is the result of partnerships between Nationwide, Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America and AgCredit, ACA. To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.
