HHS educator Brian Cummings honored
Agricultural educators play an essential and selfless role in the communities they serve. As they prepare future generations for successful careers, many also devote countless hours and often their own resources to make a difference.
On Feb. 25, Brian Cummings, an agricultural teacher at Hillsboro High School, was honored as one of 10 finalists for the 2025-26 Ag Educator of the Year honor through the Golden Owl Award. As a finalist, Cummings was presented with a plaque in front of students and the FFA Chapter will receive $1,500 to help support future educational efforts.
Cummings will have the chance to be crowned as Ohio’s Ag Educator of the Year this spring during the 98th Ohio FFA Convention and earn an additional $5,000 for his school’s agriculture program.
“Ohio is fortunate to have many outstanding ag teachers. We are pleased to recognize 10 honorees for their ongoing commitment to student success,” said Amy Jo Baughman, executive director of the Ohio FFA Foundation. “This award brings together statewide industry partners and local school communities to recognize teachers for the exceptional work that they are doing to provide quality FFA experiences for students.”
From September to December 2025, the Golden Owl Award accumulated 483 total nominations for 129 teachers in Ohio from local students, fellow teachers and colleagues, parents, and community members.
The Golden Owl Award is the result of partnerships between Ohio FFA, Nationwide, Ohio Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America, and AgCredit. To learn more about the Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.
About Ohio FFA
The Ohio FFA Association provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to more than 30,000 student members who belong to one of the more than 300 local FFA chapters throughout the state. The Ohio FFA Foundation is a cooperative effort among education, business and industry to support and inspire Ohio FFA members. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information about the organization, visit ohioffa.org.