Watch: Barb's surprise announcement as a 2026 Golden Owl awardee
AMES, Iowa – Coincidentally wearing a gray FFA quarter-zip, Barb Clawson was dressed appropriately for a surprise announcement that she is one of this year’s Golden Owl awardees.
Clawson, student services specialist and adjunct associate professor for Iowa State University’s Department of Horticulture, walked into a room filled with colleagues, family and friends Feb. 23 in Curtiss Hall, where she received the news.
The Golden Owl Award, presented by Nationwide and the Iowa FFA Foundation, is given to agriculture educators who make outstanding efforts to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders. Of the seven honorees selected each year, one is named the Iowa Golden Owl Award Winner and Iowa Agricultural Educator of the Year at the annual Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference.
Read the full story: Long-time horticulture educator, advisor Barb Clawson named Golden Owl awardee