NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS
*News releases about each award winner will be issued after the award is presented at the 2021 NAAE Convention.
The Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award is a means of encouraging young teachers to remain in the profession and to recognize their participation in professional activities.
This program is sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Region I |
Hayden Bush, OR |
Region II |
Kolby Gilbert, LA |
Region III |
Elizabeth Johnson, MN |
Region IV |
Brian Welch, KY |
Region V |
Terra Davis, TN |
Region VI |
Mary-Elizabeth Foote, NY |
This program recognizes NAAE members who are at the pinnacle of their profession—those who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education.
The Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award is sponsored by Caterpillar, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Region I |
Chad Cruickshank, OR |
Region II |
Ashley Gaff, OK |
Region III |
Mary Hoffmann, MN |
Region IV |
Nick Norwald, MO |
Region V |
Laura Parker, NC |
Region VI |
Michaela Kehrer, NY |
A goal of NAAE is to promote outstanding programs in agricultural education and effectively communicate success stories. The Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program Award promulgates that goal. Agricultural education programs in middle schools and secondary schools are eligible to participate in this recognition program.
Region I |
Baker Technical Institute, OR |
Region II |
Timberlake High School, OK |
Region III |
South East Region Career - Tech Center, ND |
Region IV |
Cambridge High School, IL |
Region V |
Creekview, GA |
Region VI |
Lampeter-Strasburg High School, PA |
The Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program award recognizes exemplary postsecondary institutions and full-time young farmer and adult agricultural education programs. Qualifying young farmer and/or adult ag ed program staff must devote at least 50 percent of their teaching time to this level of instruction.
The Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program award is sponsored by Bayer as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
| Region I | Eastern Wyoming College - Monte Stokes, WY |
Region III |
NCTA - Dan Stehlik, NE |
Region IV |
Western Illinois University - Andy Baker, IL |
Region V |
The University of Tennessee - Christopher Stripling, TN |
If you ask agriculture teachers what motivated them to enter and stay in the teaching profession, predominately they will attribute their decision to another agriculture teacher who encouraged them. Many state agricultural education associations have recognized the importance of positive relationships between beginning and experienced teachers by creating formal organizational structures to connect beginning and experienced teachers. This award program will provide additional incentives for experienced teachers to become mentors for beginning teachers, and it will provide beginning teachers a way to say thank you to the experienced teachers who have influenced them.
Region I |
Grace Godfrey, WY |
Region II |
Rachel Knight, NM |
Region III |
Michael Miron, MN |
Region IV |
Jason Dieckhoff, MO |
Region V |
David Rogers, TN |
Region VI |
Jan Woodworth, NY |
The Ideas Unlimited contest is designed to give members an opportunity to exchange classroom, SAE, leadership, and other teaching ideas.
This program is sponsored by National Geographic Learning | Cengage.
Region I |
Annette Weeks, WA |
Region II |
Emily Schmidt, OK |
Region III |
Joe Ramstad, MN |
Region IV |
Abby Campbell, OH |
Region V |
Becky Peltonen, FL |
Region VI |
Lauren Ruskey, DE |
NAAE will recognize retired NAAE members who have made significant contributions to agricultural education at the state, regional, and national levels with Lifetime Achievement Award.
This program is sponsored by Ford as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Region I |
Dan Sample, ID |
Region II |
Hals Beard, LA |
Region III |
Dan Ziegler, WI |
Region IV |
Keith Dietzschold, MO |
Region V |
Mike Blankenship, TN |
Region VI |
David Marbot, NY |
NAAE recognizes organizations, agribusiness companies, and others who have given outstanding support to agricultural education with the Outstanding Cooperation Award.
The plaques for this program are sponsored by Forrest T. Jones & Company.
| Region I | Greg Barretto, OR |
| Region II | Jim Pilkinton, OK |
| Region III | Riverview Dairy, MN |
| Region IV | Susan Graham, IL |
| Region V | Tosh Farms, TN |
NAAE will recognize current and retired NAAE members who have made significant contributions to agricultural education at the state, regional, and national levels with the Outstanding Service Citation.
This program is sponsored by Goodheart-Willcox.
Region I |
Dennis Bushong, AZ |
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Region II |
Scott Nemecek, OK |
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Region III |
Roger King, WI |
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Region IV |
Stephanie Jolliff, OH |
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Region V |
Jason Kemp, TN |
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Region VI |
Vicky Gregory, NY |
Agricultural education is continually faced with a shortage of qualified teachers. Unless those who have been trained enter and remain in the profession for a period of several years, the shortage of qualified teachers will prevail. As a means of encouraging young teachers to remain in the profession and to encourage and recognize participation in professional activities, NAAE offers the Teachers Turn the Key Scholarship.
This program is sponsored by RAM Trucks as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
| Region I | Arthur Argueta, AZ |
| Anthony Drumonde, CA | |
| Jessica Stoerger, HI | |
| Kylee Fisher, ID | |
| Neela Andres, MT | |
| Teague Teece, OR | |
| Cody Gull, UT | |
| Olivia Zurcher, WA | |
| Monica Castaneda, WY | |
| Corrine Henderson, AK |
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| Region II | Beth Schartz, KS |
| Raul Perea, NM | |
| Logan Johns, OK |
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| Region III | Hunter Hamilton, IA |
| Joe Ramstad, MN | |
| Breanna Bregel, ND | |
| Toni Rasmussen, NE | |
| Lindsey Kaufmann, SD |
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| Region IV | Caseelynn Johnston, IL |
| Kelly Dressler, IN | |
| Darilyn Hamilton, KY | |
| Matthew Bernia, MI | |
| Shelby Bagnell, MO | |
| Blake Campbell, OH |
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| Region V | Andrew Peck, FL |
| Lucas Brock, GA | |
| Abbigail Peterson, MS | |
| Britney Kellum, TN | |
| Adam Byrd, NC |
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| Region VI | Terra Eby, DE |
| Elizabeth Comstock, MD | |
| Patricia Smith, NJ | |
| Rayne Ives, NY | |
| Kayla Pohle, PA | |
| Mackenah Roberts, VA | |
| Kyle Kidwell, WV |
