Finalists recognized for their contributions and awarded funding to
advance their ag programs
BATH, S.D. – Educators devote limitless time, and often their own resources, to helping students pursue their passions. To recognize the contributions of South Dakota’s leading agricultural teachers, the South Dakota FFA Foundation and Nationwide are honoring eight exceptional teachers as finalists for the Golden Owl Award.
From September though December, 2024, nominations were collected for the state’s top agricultural teachers from local students, parents, fellow teachers and community members across South Dakota.
South Dakota 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award finalists are:
District 1: Sara Colombe, Milbank (pictured with Mercedes Snedeker, SD FFA Advisor and Mallory Olson, from Dacotah Bank)
District 2: Dan Tonak, Willow Lake (pictured with Mallory Olsen from Dacotah Bank & Caroline Hansen, SD FFA Leadership & Program Manager)
District 3: Nathan Knutson, Viborg-Hurley (pictured with Viborg-Hurley FFA Chapter members)
District 4: Susan Roudabush, Ethan (pictured with Ethan FFA Chapter members)
District 5: Austin Bishop, Belle Fourche (pictured with Belle Fourche FFA Chapter members
District 6: Sarah McClure, Gettysburg (pictured with Justin Goering, Key Agency)
District 7: Josh Christiansen, Harrisburg (pictured with Jared Ducommun, MMA)
District 8: Reed Johnson, Philip (pictured with Philip FFA Chapter members)
Top Row, L-R: District 1: Sara Colombe, Milbank, Mercedes Snedeker, SD FFA Advisor, Mallory Olson, Dacotah Bank; District 2: Dan Tonak, Willow Lake, Mallory Olsen, Dacotah Bank, Caroline Hansen, SD FFA Leadership & Program Manager; District 3: Nathan Knutson, Viborg-Hurley, with Viborg-Hurley FFA Chapter members. Second Row, L-R: District 4: Susan Roudabush, Ethan, with Ethan FFA Chapter members; District 5: Austin Bishop, Belle Fourche, with Belle Fourche FFA Chapter members; District 6: Sarah McClure, Gettysburg, with Justin Goering, Key Agency. Third Row, L-R: District 7: Josh Christiansen, Harrisburg, pictured with Jared Ducommun, MMA; District 8: Reed Johnson, Philip, with Philip FFA Chapter members.
Each finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $500 check to support future educational efforts. Next, they’ll be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as South Dakota’s Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.
“Our teachers are the foundation of the FFA. They inspire our members every day, providing them encouragement and motivation to try new things. They coordinate early morning practices, dedicate weekends to FFA events, model a passion for serving others, and endlessly help students grow their passion for agriculture. We are so thankful Nationwide recognizes the valuable work our teachers do and provides this award,” shares Sandy Osterday, SD FFA Foundation Board President.
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 also donating $5,000 to the South Dakota FFA Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
