Caleb Hickman, an agricultural teacher at Utica High School in Utica, Ohio, was honored as a finalist for the 2023-2024 Ag Educator of the Year honor through the Golden Owl Award on Feb. 20.
As a finalist, Hickman was presented with a plaque in front of fellow teachers and students, and the Utica FFA Chapter will receive $1,500 to help support future educational efforts. Hickman 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. We are pleased to recognize 10 honorees for their ongoing commitment to student success,” said Amy Jo Baughman, executive director of the Ohio FFA Foundation. “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 GoldenOwlAward.com.
