Golden Owl Award® winners and honorees
2020-2021 GOA Overall State Winners
California

California's Agricultural Educator of the Year
Sandy Lovfald
For her dedication to agricultural education at Eureka High School in Eureka, California, Sandy Lovfald was crowned the 2020-2021 California Agricultural Educator of the Year. Nominations described Lovfald as hardworking, dedicated and well respected within the agricultural education community. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide®, the California FFA and the California Farm Bureau.
California's honorees
Illinois

Illinois' Agricultural Educator of the Year
Sue Schafer
For her extraordinary work as an agricultural teacher at Taylorville High School in Taylorville, Illinois, Sue Schafer was chosen as the 2020-2021 Illinois Educator of the Year. Nominations described her as always putting her students first and being able to direct any student, ag background or not, toward success according to their individual talents and interests. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide®, the Illinois FFA, the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Compeer Financial and Farm Credit Illinois.
Illinois' honorees
Indiana

Indiana's Agricultural Educator of the Year
Travis Scherer
Travis Scherer, an agricultural teacher at Tri-County High School in Wolcott, Indiana, was crowned the 2020-2021 Indiana Agricultural Educator of the Year. Nominations described Scherer as having made a huge impact on the lives of so many. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide®, the Indiana FFA and Farm Credit Mid-American.
Indiana's honorees
Iowa

Iowa's Agricultural Educator of the Year
Dr. Michael Retallick
For his essential and selfless role at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa in preparing future generations for successful careers in agriculture, Dr. Michael Retallick was crowned the 2020-2021 Iowa Agricultural Educator of the Year. Nominations described him as having an immense impact at the state, national and international levels. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide® and the Iowa FFA Foundation.
Iowa's honorees
Ohio

Ohio's Agricultural Educator of the Year
Don Hammersmith
Recognized as a true educator and vital part of the community, Don Hammersmith at Ayersville High School in Ayersville, Ohio, was crowned the 2020-2021 Ohio Agricultural Educator of the Year. Nominations described Hammersmith as a humble, dedicated and selfless teacher who provides opportunities for his students to succeed in whatever path they choose. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide®, the Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ag Credit and Farm Credit Mid-America.
Ohio's honorees
New York

New York's Agricultural Educator of the Year
Elizabeth Foote
For her outstanding work as an agricultural teacher, Elizabeth Foote at Greenwich Jr./Sr. High School in Greenwich, New York, was chosen as the 2020-2021 New York Agricultural Educator of the Year. Foote was recognized as a passionate educator with a unique way of connecting with students and getting them involved in agriculture. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide®, the New York FFA and the New York Farm Bureau.
New York's honorees
Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Agricultural Educator of the Year
Sherisa Nailor
For her outstanding work as an agricultural teacher at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pennsylvania, Sherisa Nailor was honored as the 2020-2021 Pennsylvania Agricultural Educator of the Year. Nominations described Nailor as a gifted educator who builds a love for agriculture within her students and provides highly engaging classroom lessons. Read more »
Presented by Nationwide®, the Pennsylvania FFA and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
Pennsylvania's honorees
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