August 1, 2025

Daniel Bolen Named 2025 National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient

LEXINGTON, KY – The National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) is proud to announce Daniel Bolen as one of the 2025 recipients of the Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award. This prestigious national honor recognizes exceptional agricultural educators who exemplify innovation, dedication, and excellence in the classroom, in FFA leadership, and in the broader agricultural education community.

Bolen, the Agricultural Science and Technology Instructor and FFA Advisor at Elgin High School in Elgin, Oregon, has built a nationally recognized program rooted in hands-on learning, community engagement, and leadership development. His passion for agricultural education has transformed the Elgin FFA Chapter into a powerhouse of student achievement and service.

Under Bolen’s leadership, students participate in diverse, immersive experiences—ranging from plant production and animal science to agribusiness and mechanical systems. His signature initiative, the BARN Project (Building Agricultural Resource Networks), has served as a model for project-based learning, giving students real-world skills while strengthening rural community ties. The project has earned both statewide and national recognition for its innovative approach to agricultural education and rural development.

Bolen’s classroom is known for blending rigor with relevance. Whether through a welding lab, supervised agricultural experiences, or student-led community service projects, he continuously pushes students to reach their full potential as learners, leaders, and citizens. His commitment to equity and opportunity ensures that all students—regardless of background—can find their place and voice in agriculture.

Beyond the classroom, Bolen is a mentor to new teachers, a contributor to curriculum development at the state level, and an advocate for agricultural education policy. He embodies the NAAE’s mission to prepare students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources systems.

The NAAE Outstanding Teacher Award is sponsored by the Tractor Supply Company and is presented during the NAAE Convention held in conjunction with the ACTE CareerTech VISION Conference. Bolen and other regional winners will be honored at an awards luncheon in Nashville this December.

About NAAE:

The National Association of Agricultural Educators is a professional organization representing more than 8,000 agricultural educators across the United States. NAAE provides professional development, advocacy, and networking opportunities for teachers of agriculture at all levels.

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