Now from Nationwide: ag teacher of the year

Summer 2024 California Bountiful magazine

Rick Neugebauer receives the Golden Owl Award from Nationwide Sponsor Relations Account Executive Kate Fuso, California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass and State FFA Treasurer Sydney Marich. Photo courtesy of California FFA

Shasta County teacher named Ag Educator of the Year

Rick Neugebauer, agricultural teacher at Fall River Junior-Senior High School in Shasta County, has won the Golden Owl Award as California’s 2023-2024 Ag Educator of the Year. He received the recognition and a $3,000 Nationwide-funded donation to further his school’s agricultural education efforts earlier this year at the California FFA State Leadership Conference in Sacramento.

The award is sponsored annually by the California FFA Foundation in partnership with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau.

“Receiving the Golden Owl Award means a great deal to me personally. However, I would be remiss to take all the credit,” said Neugebauer, who also serves as advisor of the McArthur FFA chapter. “This award represents the collective effort of an entire community dedicated to educating and guiding the leaders of tomorrow.”

Golden Owl Award finalists were Daniel Crookham of Exeter FFA in Tulare County; Rebecca Freeman of Lodi-Tokay FFA in San Joaquin County; Randy Mendes of St. Helena FFA in Napa County; Deanna Morton of Shandon FFA in San Luis Obispo County; and Marlisa Nordstrom of Buena Park FFA in Orange County. Each received a $500 donation to support future educational efforts.

Neugebauer’s nomination, submitted by a fellow teacher, described Neugebauer as hard-working, dedicated and involved in his community.

“Mr. Neugebauer has been an ag teacher at our school for 24 years. In those years, he has led many students to success in public speaking and leadership roles, earning state champion titles and mentoring numerous regional and state officers. He has taught kids how to be confident in their abilities and become well-rounded, productive members of society.”

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. In conjunction with the award, Nationwide also donated $5,000 to the California FFA Foundation.

Nationwide further supports FFA in California through donations to the California Farm Bureau’s Blue Jacket Bonanza program.

Established in 2010, the program helps provide the iconic blue corduroy jacket to FFA members who might otherwise be unable to own one. Specifically, Nationwide partners annually with the California Farm Bureau to provide jackets for regional and sectional FFA officers. Through a live auction at the 2023 California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, members contributed $23,524 to the Blue Jacket Bonanza program. Nationwide boosted the fund with a $5,000 donation. The total contribution will provide jackets for more than 200 FFA members.