Angels Camp, CA…Educators devote countless time, and often their own resources, to help students pursue their passions. The California FFA Foundation, California Farm Bureau and Nationwide have named Carrie Phillips, an agricultural teacher at Bret Harte High School, as a finalist for the 2024-2025 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.

From September 1 through January 17, nominations were collected statewide for top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across California. Among the standout nominees, Phillips was praised for her unwavering commitment to her students, innovative teaching methods, and ability to create a lasting impact in agricultural education.

Phillips’ commitment to hands-on learning ensures that every student finds a pathway to success, through competitive FFA events, career skills training, or meaningful community engagement projects. Former students credit her guidance with shaping their careers in agriculture, and colleagues admire her passion for making agricultural education both accessible and impactful. Her dedicated efforts are preparing students not only for the workforce but also for leadership roles within the industry.

Highlighting the profound influence of the FFA, California Farm Bureau President and FFA alumna Shannon Douglass emphasized the significant impact it has on shaping leaders in agriculture. “Farm Bureau sees firsthand the impact that FFA advisors make in their programs around the state and nation. As many of our current leaders in Farm Bureau and across agriculture have roots in FFA,” reflected Douglass. “We appreciate the hard work that ag teachers provide to create a strong foundation for the FFA members and future leaders of the agriculture industry.”

Phillips will be presented with a plaque and a $500 check in front of fellow teachers, students, and supporters at the 2025 State FFA Leadership Conference, April 3-6 in Sacramento. All six finalists will be considered for California’s Ag Educator of the Year Award, earning an additional $3,000 and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy. The winner will be announced on stage at the conference.

“California FFA is thrilled to collaborate with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau in honoring exceptional agricultural educators and FFA Advisors,” stated Charles Parker, State FFA Advisor. “The six state finalists showcase extraordinary commitment to equipping students with foundational skills, leadership qualities, and essential knowledge for the future. These educators extend beyond traditional classroom instruction, ensuring students are thoroughly prepared for success.”

Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support their programs with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts. This year, the award program honors outstanding ag educators in 13 states: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

“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.”

In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is contributing $5,000 to the California FFA Foundation, enhancing support for the personal and professional development of both students and advisors.

###

About the California FFA Foundation
California FFA Foundation serves more than 104,000 California students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.