Clinton Prairie agriculture educator and FFA advisor Emily Russ has been named an Honoree and Finalist for the 2026 Golden Owl Award, placing her among eight top agricultural teachers in Indiana. The surprise recognition came during the Clinton Prairie FFA Chapter’s Ag Education Day, where school and state agriculture leaders presented Russ with a plaque and a $500 check to support future educational projects.
During the Ag Education Day program, Clinton Prairie High School Principal Kirsten Clark joined Indiana State Department of Agriculture Assistant Director of Youth Development Cassie Perrin and District V FFA President Katie McClain to announce Russ’s selection. They presented her with the Golden Owl plaque and the $500 program award, recognizing her work with Clinton Prairie students in agricultural education and FFA leadership.
What the Golden Owl Award is
The Golden Owl Award honors outstanding agricultural educators across Indiana for their classroom instruction, FFA advising and broader impact on students and the community. Students, fellow teachers and other supporters submit nominations describing what makes their agricultural teacher stand out, and those letters are reviewed by a selection committee. Presented by Nationwide, Indiana FFA and Farm Credit Mid-America, the award highlights educators who “make tremendous contributions to help the next generation of agricultural leaders,” according to program materials.
Selection process and next steps
Eight finalists statewide are chosen from nominations submitted between November 1 and December 31, 2025. Each finalist receives a plaque and $500 for their programs. Russ and the seven other finalists will now be considered for the title of Indiana Agricultural Educator of the Year, which will be announced at the 2026 Indiana FFA Convention at Purdue University in June.
“The strength of this award is that it comes from the voices of students, colleagues and community members who see the impact of agricultural education every day,” organizers noted in describing the selection process. That impact includes classroom instruction, supervising student projects and encouraging leadership through FFA.
Statewide honor and potential award
The educator selected as Indiana Agricultural Educator of the Year will receive the Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 check to be used for educational programs. Russ’s current $500 award is designated to support future projects within the Clinton Prairie agriculture program, such as classroom materials, student activities or FFA initiatives.
Program organizers say the Golden Owl Award is intended not only to recognize individual teachers but also to draw attention to the importance of school-based agricultural education in preparing students for careers in agriculture and related fields. As a finalist, Russ will represent Clinton Prairie and Clinton County at the state-level recognition this summer.
