Now from Nationwide: Lassen High teacher is 'Ag Educator of the Year'

September/October 2022 California Bountiful magazine

Agricultural educators across the nation are devoted to making meaningful connections and encouraging the development of their students. In California, six exceptional ag teachers were named as finalists for the Golden Owl Award for their positive impact in the classroom and industry overall. Of the finalists, Elizabeth Ammon, an agricultural teacher at Lassen High School, was named California’s 2021-22 “Ag Educator of the Year.”

The award was presented by Nationwide, in partnership with the California FFA and California Farm Bureau, at the California FFA State Leadership Conference in Sacramento. In addition to the title of California’s Ag Educator of the Year, Ammon also received the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and a $3,000 Nationwide-funded donation to further Lassen High School’s agricultural education efforts.

Nominations described Ammon as hardworking, dedicated and well respected within the agricultural education community. One student nomination read, “One of my biggest sources of motivation in my life is my agriculture advisor, Mrs. Ammon. She has never failed to make students feel like they have a place to call home in this wonderful organization. Devoting her time to ensure that every student in our agriculture department has an equally amazing experience in FFA, Mrs. Ammon is both a mentor and a guide who we can always count on. From helping students purchase animals, opening her classroom to students’ projects and making late night home visits are what makes Mrs. Ammon an outstanding teacher.”

As the No. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the United States*, Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award with its state partners to shed light on the contributions of California’s leading agricultural teachers and provide additional resources to support their programs.

“Nationwide is proud to recognize the dedicated men and women who are educating and inspiring students to pursue careers in agriculture,” said Brad Liggett, Nationwide’s president of agribusiness. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to appreciate their contributions, highlight the growing need for their services, and supply additional resources to help provide students with optimal learning experiences.”

Nationwide supports the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA, including the California FFA, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

The Golden Owl Award is the result of a partnership between Nationwide, the California FFA, California Farm Bureau, Illinois FFA, Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Farm Credit Illinois, Indiana FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Iowa FFA Foundation, New York FFA, New York Farm Bureau, Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania FFA, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Compeer Financial and AgCredit.

For more information, visit goldenowlaward.com.