IKM-Manning Ag Instructor Named Finalist for Golden Owl Award

Ben Booth is among seven finalists selected from a record 834 nominations across Iowa.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:36pm

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IKM-Manning Ag Instructor Ben Booth has been named a finalist for the 2025-26 Golden Owl Award, one of the state's top honors for agricultural education. Booth is among seven finalists selected from a record 834 nominations submitted for 129 educators across Iowa.

Why it matters

The Golden Owl Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes exceptional agricultural educators who provide high-quality, hands-on learning experiences and inspire students to pursue careers in agriculture. Being named a finalist is a significant achievement that highlights Booth's impact on his students and community.

The details

Nominations for the Golden Owl Award were made by students, colleagues, administrators, and community members, highlighting the educators' impact in and beyond the classroom. Each finalist receives a $500 prize and an engraved plaque, with the overall winner earning $3,000 and the coveted Golden Owl trophy. The winner will be announced on April 20 at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames.

  • Ben Booth was named a finalist for the 2025-26 Golden Owl Award.
  • The winner will be announced on April 20, 2026 at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames.

The players

Ben Booth

An agricultural instructor at IKM-Manning High School and a finalist for the 2025-26 Golden Owl Award.

Iowa FFA Foundation

The organization that sponsors the Golden Owl Award, which honors exceptional agricultural educators in Iowa.

Nationwide Insurance

A sponsor of the Golden Owl Award, which provides financial support and recognition for the award recipients.

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What they’re saying

“Being named a finalist for the Golden Owl Award is a tremendous honor, and I'm grateful to my students, colleagues, and community for their support and recognition of the work we do at IKM-Manning.”

— Ben Booth, Agricultural Instructor

What’s next

The winner of the 2025-26 Golden Owl Award will be announced on April 20, 2026 at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames.

The takeaway

The Golden Owl Award highlights the vital role that agricultural educators play in inspiring the next generation of farmers, scientists, and leaders. Ben Booth's nomination as a finalist demonstrates the impact he has had on his students and community, and serves as an inspiration for other educators to strive for excellence in agricultural education.