Each year, GVATA encourages members to nominate their colleagues for the GVATA/NAAE Awards Program. This program is an opportunity to honor outstanding agricultural educators who exemplify excellence in our profession. Below is a list of past winners—individuals who have represented Georgia at the NAAE Convention and competed for national recognition.
Georgia has many exceptional educators, and this process allows us to highlight the impactful work happening across our state. Members may nominate themselves or others, and all nominations remain anonymous. Area Directors will use these nominations to contact individuals and encourage them to complete the application process.
GVATA has created a scaled-down application to streamline submissions. The top three applicants in each award area will be recognized on stage at the GVATA Summer Conference, and the overall state winner will submit their full application to NAAE for regional and national consideration.
Applications are due by April 1st by completing the Google Form linked below.
If you encounter any issues, please contact your GVATA Area Directors for assistance.
Winners will be announced to all GVATA members at Summer Conference.
Please use the following link to submit your completed application by April 1st:
CLICK HERE
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2025 GVATA/NAAE Award Winners
| Ideas Unlimited |
LaDonna Whithrow |
| Outstanding Agricultural Teacher |
Nancy Sell |
| Outstanding Agricultural Program |
Lee County Middle East |
| Outstanding Early Career Teacher |
Dr. Emily Courson |
| Outstanding Ag Ed State Staff Member |
Billy Hughes |
| Outstanding Elementary Agricultural Teacher |
Addie Tucker |
| Outstanding Postsecondary Ag Program |
Carroll County Young Farmer's Association |
| Teacher Mentor Award |
Dr. Tracy Champagne |
| Teacher Turn the Key |
Eryn Holton |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Veronica Sanders |
| Lifetime Achievement |
Dr. Lynne Cook |
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2024 GVATA/NAAE Award Winners
| Ideas Unlimited |
Leigh Vinson |
| Outstanding Agricultural Teacher |
Ashley Rivers |
| Outstanding Agricultural Program |
Lowndes County Middle School |
| Outstanding Early Career Teacher |
Sarah Beth Hammond |
| Outstanding Ag Ed State Staff Member |
Brittaney Schwing |
| Outstanding Elementary Agricultural Teacher |
Stephanie Peterson |
| Outstanding Postsecondary Ag Program |
The University of Georgia |
| Teacher Mentor Award |
Dr. Carl Nichols |
| Teacher Turn the Key |
Kristen Thomas |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Melissa Riley |
| Lifetime Achievement |
Dr. Lynne Cook |
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2023 GVATA / NAAE Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2022 GVATA / NAAE State award winners!
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2022 GVATA / NAAE Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2022 GVATA / NAAE State award winners!
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2021 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2021 GVATA / NAAE State award winners!
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2020 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2020 GVATA / NAAE State award winners! These members will be recognized at our Summer Conference and represent Georgia as they compete at the NAAE Region V level later this year.
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2019 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2019 GVATA Award Winners. These individuals also recognized GVATA as NAAE Award Finalists.
| Outstanding Young Member |
Chelsea Begnaud, Oconee Co High |
| Outstanding Teacher |
Jessica Bowden, LaGrange High |
| Outstanding Ag Program |
Southeast Bulloch High |
| Outstanding Adult Ag Ed |
Laurens County Young Farmers |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Hope Carter, West Laurens Middle |
| Ideas Unlimited |
April Davis, Commerce Middle |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Stan Mitchell, North Region Ag Ed |
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| Outstanding Cooperation Award |
Sunbelt Ag Expo* |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Dr. D.J. Sheppard, Recruitment & Retention* |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Mrs. Cindy Greene |
| Teacher Mentor |
Dr. Frank Flanders, ABAC* |
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2018 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2018 GVATA Award Winners. These individuals also recognized GVATA as NAAE Award Finalists.
| Outstanding Middle School/Secondary Program |
Bagley Middle School* |
| Outstanding Teacher |
Adrienne Smith, Colquitt County High School |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Wayne County Young Farmer* |
| Outstanding Early Career Teacher |
Kalie Hall, Madison County High School |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Callie Kendrick, Byron Middle School |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Brandi Baade, Pike County High School* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Chris Corzine, Central Region Director |
| Outstanding Cooperation Award |
Georgia FFA Foundation* |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Representative Terry England |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Dr. Argene Claxton |
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2017 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2017 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Teacher |
Kasey Jackson, West Laurens High School |
| Outstanding Secondary Program |
ECI (Emanuel County Institute), Tori Meadows |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Toombs County Young Farmers, Joey Montford* |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Sarah Nerswick, Cambridge High School* |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Brandi Baade, Pike County High School
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| Ideas Unlimited |
Jonathan Hardeman* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Christa Steinkamp |
| Outstanding Cooperation Award |
Georgia EMCs |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Senator John Wilkinson* |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Dr. DJ Sheppard |
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2016 GVATA Award Winners
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2016 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Teacher |
Nelson McCracken, Bagley Middle School* |
| Outstanding Secondary Program |
Miller County High School, Kitty Bodiford |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Murray County Young Farmer* |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Adrienne Smith, Colquitt High School* |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Myria Shipman, Islands High School |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Hannah Elrick, Effingham County High School |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2015 GVATA Award Winners
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will now move on to regional judging at NAAE. Visit the Georgia AG Ed Photo Gallery to see pictures of the 2015 GVATA Award winners and to see snapshots of the 2015 GVATA Summer Conference.
| Outstanding Teacher |
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Bryant Oliver, Wheeler County High School
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| Outstanding Young Member |
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Brandon Ray - LaFayette High School
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| Teachers Turn the Key |
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Adrienne Smith - Colquitt County High School
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| Ideas Unlimited |
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Nancy Sell - Screven County High*
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| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
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Veterans High - Clay Walker & Jeff Wilson
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| Outstanding Post Secondary Program |
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Miller County Young Farmers* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
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Dr. Lynn Barber, South Region Director |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2014 GVATA / NAAE Award Winners
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2014 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Young Member |
Clay Walker |
| Outstanding Teacher |
Richard Gill |
| Teacher Mentor |
Richard Gill |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Michael Barnes & Josh White |
| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
Madison County High School* |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Chansi Coleman |
| Outsanding Post Secondary Program |
Gordon County Young Farmers |
| Oustanding State Staff Member |
Katrina Jones |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Gary Minard* |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2013 GVATA Award Winners
| Outstanding Teacher |
Dr. Sara Clark |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Michael Gardner |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Amanda Keener
Tim Griffeth |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Taylor Brown*
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| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
Northside High |
| Outstanding Post Secondary Program |
Johnson Co. Young Farmers* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Ms. Martha White |
*NAAE Region V winner.
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2012 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2012 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Teacher |
Bill Waldrep, Mary Persons High School* |
| Outstanding Secondary Program |
Bleckley County High, Mr. Doyle Floyd and Mr. Walt Parks |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Effingham County Young Farmer* |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Meredith Arrington, Effingham County High School
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| Ideas Unlimited |
Taylor Ginn, East Jackson High School |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Brittany Bearden, Hahira Middle School
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| Outstanding State Staff Member |
John "Chip" Bridges |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2011 GVATA Award Winners
| Outstanding Young Member |
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Taylor Ginn |
| Outstanding Teacher |
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Kitty Simmons |
| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
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Southeast Bulloch |
| Outstanding Adult Ag Ed Program |
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Houston County Young Farmers* |
| Ideas Unlimited |
|
Joe Green* |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
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Meredith Arrington
Allen Nasworthy |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
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Ben Lastly |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2010 GVATA / NAAE Awards
| Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program |
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| Outstanding Teacher |
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| Outstanding Post Secondary/Adult Program |
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| Ideas Unlimited |
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| Turn the Key |
Trisha Lastly |
| Outstanding Young Member |
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2009 GVATA Award Winners
| Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program |
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Gary Minyard
Cale Watkins
Owen Thomason |
| Outstanding Teacher |
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Gary Minyard |
| Outstanding Post Secondary/Adult Program |
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Dr. Freddie Waltz |
| Ideas Unlimited |
|
Joe Green |
| Turn the Key |
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Trisha Lastly |
| Outstanding Young Member |
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Brittany Neff |
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