Chris Dunard, Washington High School Agriculture Education teacher and FFA Advisor, has been named a semifinalist for the inaugural Missouri FFA Foundation’s Golden Owl Award.

The Golden Owl Award recognizes Missouri agricultural educators for their tremendous contributions to helping the next generation of agricultural leaders. 

Nominations were accepted on the Missouri FFA Foundation’s website from September 20-December 31, 2024. Over 400 nominations were received. From those nominations, 18 teachers were selected as semifinalists to go on to the next round of the FFA contest.

Dunard has been an Agriculture Education teacher and FFA Advisor at Washington High School for 17 years. He’s also taught at Union for 11 years, Cameron for one year and Versailles for one year.

As a semifinalist, Dunard is now eligible to move on to the second round of the state competition, where seven state finalists will be chosen. Each finalist will receive a plaque and a $500 prize. Finalists will then have the chance to be named as Missouri’s Ag Educator of the Year at the Missouri FFA State Convention, earning an additional $3,000 prize and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.

Dunard received this recognition because of his outstanding dedication to students, commitment to agriculture education, and positive impact on both the community and the agriculture industry.

“The Missouri FFA Foundation is proud to partner with Nationwide to establish the inaugural Golden Owl Award program in Missouri,” said Heather Dimitt-Fletcher, executive director of the Missouri FFA Foundation. “Agriculture is one of Missouri’s top industries. Our agriculture education teachers are outstanding at preparing our students to be the workforce that drives that industry. Missouri agriculture education is consistently recognized as one of the top in the country and our teachers are a primary reason for that distinction. Education is a demanding field. One of the objectives of the Missouri FFA Foundation is to find ways to support and honor our teachers. The Golden Owl Award program is one way to achieve that objective.”

Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to recognize the contributions of agriculture teachers and thank them for their continued educational efforts.

“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.”

The Missouri FFA Foundation secures strategic partnerships and financial resources to enhance, strengthen, and support the educational and leadership opportunities that promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career success for Missourians in Agricultural Education.

Chris Dunard, Washington High School Agriculture Education
teacher and FFA Advisor, has been named a semifinalist for the
inaugural Missouri FFA Foundation’s Golden Owl Award.