ASHLAND – 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. 20,Tod Fox an agricultural teacher at Ashland High School was honored as a finalist for the 2023-2024 Ag Educator of the Year honor through the Golden Owl Award.
As a finalist, Fox was presented with a plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and the Ashland FFA Chapter will receive $1,500 to help support future educational efforts.
Fox will then have the chance to be crowned as Ohio’s Ag Educator of the Year in May 2024 during the 96th Ohio FFA Convention and earn an additional $5,000 for his school’s agriculture program.
“Ohio is fortunate to have many outstanding ag teachers,” said Amy Jo Baughman, executive director of the Ohio FFA Foundation. “We are pleased to recognize 10 honorees for their ongoing commitment to student success.
“This award brings together statewide partners and the local school community to recognize teachers for the exceptional work that they are doing to provide quality FFA experiences for students.”
From September to December 2023, the Golden Owl Award accumulated more than 450 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. To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.
Ohio FFA
The Ohio FFA Association provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 28,000 student members who belong to one of the more than 300 local FFA chapters throughout the state.
The Ohio FFA Foundation is a cooperative effort among education, business and industry to support and inspire Ohio FFA members.
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
For more information about the organization, visit ohioffa.org.