After more than three decades of shaping future agricultural leaders, mentoring students, and building one of Indiana’s respected FFA programs, Lynette Markley has earned one of the state’s highest honors for agricultural educators.
The Argos High School agriculture teacher and FFA advisor was named Indiana’s 2025-2026 Agricultural Educator of the Year, receiving the coveted Golden Owl Award during the final session on Thursday afternoon at the 97th Indiana FFA State Convention at Riverview Health Arena in Noblesville.
“I was shocked,” Markley said. “[I’m] very humbled because I was standing among some great ag teachers. I have just a lot of gratitude. I just couldn’t believe that I had the opportunity to stand on stage with fellow ag teachers. This is such a prestigious award.”
The Golden Owl Award, established by Nationwide in 2018 and co-sponsored by Indiana FFA and Farm Credit Mid-America, recognizes outstanding agricultural educators for their profound contributions to preparing the next generation of industry leaders.
A Surprising Nomination
Markley’s journey to the grand prize began when her principal surprised her in the school’s agricultural room. Unbeknownst to her, a coalition of students, parents, and community members had submitted letters detailing her impact. Markley was chosen first as one of eight finalists from a pool of 114 nominees statewide, before ultimately securing the top honor.
“I had no idea that students and parents and community supporters had wrote these letters on behalf of myself,” Markley said. “We work a lot of long hours, and sometimes you wonder if you’re actually making a difference. I love the FFA… I love seeing students develop and the successes, and how they change and grow.”
As the grand prize winner, Markley received the Golden Owl trophy and a $3,000 cash prize designated to support future classroom and program initiatives at Argos High School. This is in addition to the $500 award given to each of the eight finalists. Furthermore, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the Indiana FFA to support the professional growth of agricultural teachers and students across the state.
Decades of Evolution in the Classroom
Having taught for 31 years, Markley has witnessed a massive transformation in agricultural education, particularly noting the influx of female students into what was once a male-dominated field.
“When I first started teaching ag as a female in the world of agriculture, I had all male sitting in my classroom,” she recalled. “So we’ve seen that dynamic change.”
The curriculum itself has also shifted dramatically alongside technological advancements like precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, and drones.
“What I did 31 years ago, I don’t do today because that’s not going to be beneficial to the students,” Markley explained. “So I think you have to adapt and make sure you’re staying current with trends and technology so that you are providing the best education possible for your students.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
Though she is eligible for retirement, Markley has no plans to step away from the classroom. Instead, she wants to use her experience to mentor the growing number of young agricultural teachers entering the profession in Indiana.
“I want to be a mentor… it’s a hard job, and there’s a lot of days that are discouraging,” she said. “I want to be that person that can encourage people… that they are making a difference.”
For new teachers trying to balance the heavy demands of running an agricultural program, Markley offers simple advice: start small and build a solid foundation.
“Remember you can’t do everything,” Markley advised. “Pick those one or two things, become comfortable with that. Rome wasn’t built in a day… find out what do your students want? What are the needs in your community? Start there.”
Past Indiana Golden Owl Award Winners
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2025: Jim Wildermuth (North Miami)
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2024: Ron Noll (Prairie Heights)
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2023: Duane Huge (Danville Community)
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2022: Blair Orme (Rushville)
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2021: Travis Scherer (Tri-County)
