Fields Named Semi-Finalists for Golden Owl Award

Semi-finalists recognized for their contributions to agriculture education, their

students, and community.

Climax Springs, MO -- Educators devote limitless time, and often their own resources, to

helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of Missouri's leading

agricultural teachers, Nationwide and the Missouri FFA Foundation are honoring exceptional

teachers as semi-finalists for the Missouri Golden Owl Award.

This was the inaugural year for the Golden Owl Award contest in Missouri. From September

20-December 31, 2023 nominations were collected for the state's top agricultural teachers from

local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across Missouri. Almost 400

nominations were received!

Joni Fields an ag education instructor at Climax Springs R-IV was selected as one of the

semi-finalists for this prestigious program. Fields earned this recognition because of her

outstanding dedication to students, commitment to agriculture education, and positive impact

on both the community and the agriculture industry.

As a semi-finalist, Fields is now eligible to move on to the second round of the state competition

where seven state finalists will be chosen. Each finalist will receive a plaque and a $500 prize.

Finalists when they have the chance to be named as Missouri's Ag Educator of the Year at the

Missouri FFA State Convention, earning an additional $3,000 prize and the coveted Golden Owl

Award trophy.

"The Missouri FFA Foundation is proud to partner with Nationwide to establish the inaugural

Golden Owl Award program in Missouri", said Heather Dimitt-Fletcher, executive director of the

Missouri FFA Foundation. "Agriculture is one of Missouri's top industries. Our agriculture

education teachers are outstanding at preparing our students to be the workforce that drives

that industry. Missouri agriculture education is consistently recognized as one of the top in the

country and our teachers are a primary reason for that distinction. Education is a demanding

field. One of the objectives of the Missouri FFA Foundation is to find ways to support and honor

our teachers. The Golden Owl Award program is one way to achieve that objective."

Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to recognize the contributions of agriculture

teachers and thank them for their continued educational efforts.

"As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, we are proud to thank and honor

these hardworking agricultural teachers for their dedication," said Brad Liggett, president of

Agribusiness at Nationwide. "These educators play a crucial role in preparing students for

successful careers in the industry."

About Missouri FFA Foundation

The Missouri FFA Foundation secures strategic partnerships and financial resources to enhance,

strengthen, and support the educational and leadership opportunities that promote premier

leadership, personal growth, and career success for Missourians in Agricultural Education. As a

501c3 nonprofit organization, the foundation is governed by a board of directors.

www.missouriffa.org/foundation

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, mutual funds and ETFs; excess & surplus, specialty

and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information,

visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual

Insurance Company. (c) 2023

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