At FCS Financial, we believe the future of Missouri agriculture is cultivated in the classroom. We are proud to serve as a co-sponsor for the Missouri Golden Owl Award® alongside the Missouri FFA Foundation and Nationwide Insurance. This collaborative program honors the extraordinary ag teachers who prepare the next generation of leaders, with a particular focus on recognizing their impact at the local level.
Jarred Sayre accepts the 2026 Golden Owl Award at Missouri FFA State Convention in April.
2026 Missouri Ag Educator of the Year
We are thrilled to congratulate Jarred Sayre from Milan C-II High School, who was named the Missouri Agricultural Educator of the Year at the Missouri FFA State Convention. As the grand prize winner, Mr. Sayre received the Golden Owl® trophy and a $3,000 cash prize to support his continued efforts in the classroom.
Local Recognition, Direct Impact
One of our primary goals in this co-sponsorship is to ensure our teachers are celebrated right where they make their greatest impact: in their own schools. FCS Financial representatives took an active role by visiting the semi-finalists at their school locations to present recognition checks personally.
Each of the following 18 semi-finalists were awarded a $250 check to honor their dedication to Missouri agricultural education:
- Christina Terry – Davis H. Hart Career Center (Mexico)
- Tammy Bartholomew – Miami High School (Amorett)
- Sarah Peterson – Mansfield R-IV High School
- Shelby Haag – Northwest High School (Hughesville)
- Martha Schreiman – Santa Fe R-X High School
(Alma) - Jon Wilson – Gainesville High School
- Mary Leykamp – Montgomery Co R-II High School
- Jim Phillips – Stockton R-I High School
- Michael Lee – Golden City High School
- Jenny Bradley – North Shelby High School (Shelbyville)
- Jack Green – North Central Missouri College (Trenton)
- Jarred Sayre – Milan C-II High School
- Erica Hart – Kearney R-I High School
- Johnny Viebrock – Smithville R-II High School
- Danielle Blair – Union High School
- Kristy Sivils – Aurora R-VIII High School • Nick Nordwald – Sikeston Career and
Technical Center - Kyle Mabury – Clearwater High School (Piedmont)
The Path to the Top Honor
From the initial pool of semi-finalists, seven educators were selected as Honorees and received a surprise school visit from the Missouri FFA Foundation, FCS Financial and Nationwide Insurance. They were awarded an additional $500 check. Our 2025-2026 Honorees include:
- Johnny Viebrock – Smithville R-II High School
- Jack Green – North Central Missouri College
- Jarred Sayre – Milan C-II High School
- Kristy Sivils – Aurora R-VIII High School
- Nick Nordwald – Sikeston Career & Tech Center
- Jon Wilson – Gainesville High School
- Shelby Haag – Northwest High School
If you know an ag teacher who is making a difference in your community, we encourage you to submit a nomination at missouriffa.org when the program opens in September 2026. Together, we can ensure that the "Golden Owls" in our communities receive the recognition they deserve.
