Caesar Rodney High School’s Mark Breeding honored as Delaware’s Golden Owl Award® 2025-2026 grand prize winner
As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, the ag teachers who go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders are more important than ever. In Delaware, six exceptional ag teachers were recently named as finalists of the 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award® for their positive impact in the classroom and communities they serve. Of the finalists, Mark Breeding, an agricultural teacher at Caesar Rodney High School, was named Delaware’s grand prize winner and 2025-2026 Ag Educator of the Year.
Nationwide, in partnership with Delaware FFA and Delaware Farm Bureau, recognized Mark Breeding as the Golden Owl Award grand prize winner during the FFA Awards Ceremony at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington on July 31. In addition to the title of Delaware’s Ag Educator of the Year, Breeding will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and a $3,000 Nationwide-funded donation to further Caesar Rodney’s agricultural education efforts.
Mark Breeding has dedicated 29 years to advancing agricultural education in Delaware, inspiring generations of students through hands-on learning, leadership development, and career preparation. Throughout his career at Lake Forest High School, W.T. Chipman Middle School, and Caesar Rodney High School, he has built and strengthened agricultural education and FFA programs that challenge students to grow both personally and professionally. His commitment to experiential learning, supervised agricultural experiences, and FFA involvement has provided countless students with opportunities to develop practical skills, explore career pathways, and build confidence as leaders. Through his mentorship and passion for education, Mark has positively influenced thousands of students, leaving a lasting legacy on agricultural education in Delaware and exemplifying the values and mission of FFA.
Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award with its state partners to shed light on the contributions of Delaware’s leading agricultural teachers and provide additional resources to support their programs.
“Nationwide is proud to recognize the dedicated teachers who are educating and inspiring students to pursue careers in agriculture,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to appreciate their contributions, highlight the growing need for their services, and supply additional resources to help provide their students with optimal learning experiences.”
Nationwide supports the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA, including the Delaware FFA, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.
For more information, visit www.goldenowlaward.com.
For more information about Nationwide and Nationwide’s ratings, visit www.nationwide.com or Company Ratings — Nationwide.
Subscribe today to receive the latest news from Nationwide and follow Nationwide PR on X.
Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2025
