The Outstanding Ag Ed Teacher Award is an award that distinguishes NAAE members who are at the pinnacle of their profession-those who are conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs. The award recognizes leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Outstanding agricultural educators are innovators and catalysts for student success in agricultural education.

Thome has been teaching farm business management for more than 35 years. The last 21 years for Riverland Community College in Austin.

"I become a counselor, advocate, and friend," said Thome. "Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Toyota sponsors the Outstanding Ag Ed Award as a special project of the FFA Foundation. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators. The mission of NAAE is "professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service." The NAAE office is located on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Riverland farm business management program is designed to help organize a farmer's resources to assist in meeting family and financial goals. Courses explore various topics including: economic principles, farm practices, agricultural science, new developments in the field and decision making skills. Instructors primarily work with clients/students one on one.

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Annually, approximately 4,000 students are served through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities. An additional 4,800 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Facilities are located in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may also be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses.