Rachel Rose honored as 2025-26 New York District 2 Golden Owl Award Winner
As the need for more agriculture educators across the nation grows, the ag teachers who go above and beyond in educating America's youth and future leaders are more important than ever. In New York, 10 exceptional ag teachers were recently named as finalists of the 2025-26 Golden Owl Award for their positive impact in the classroom and communities they serve - including Greenville FFA advisor and ag teacher, Rachel Rose.
The New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation, in partnership with Nationwide and the New York Farm Bureau, recognized Mrs. Rose during a statewide tour on Monday, where she was surprised by a visit from NY FFA staff and presented with a $500 award check.
Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award with its state partners to shed light on the contributions of leading agricultural teachers and provide additional resources to support their programs in 13 states. The state Golden Owl winner will be announced at the New York State FFA Convention on May 16, 2026, and awarded $3,000.
"New York's ag teachers make a profound impact on their students," said Todd Lighthall, Executive Director of the NY FFA Foundation. "We are proud to recognize the countless hours spent mentoring, developing, and guiding FFA members both in and out of the classroom. These teachers are models of hard work and community service who are cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders. We are extremely grateful for the unwavering commitment of all of New York's agricultural educators."
Nationwide supports the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide has donated $5,000 to the New York FFA Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike.