Ag News
Morgan County's Kinsaul honored for excellence in ag education
Posted on May 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Morgan County Farm Bureau President Rachel Kinsaul, a two-time graduate of the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), has been named a 2024–25 Milken Educator Award recipient — an honor widely recognized as the nation’s preeminent award for K–12 teachers.
Kinsaul is one of 10 finalists for the 2026 State Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced by the Georgia Department of Education on May 30.
A leader in agricultural education, Kinsaul teaches agricultural science at Morgan County High School in Madison, where her innovative, hands-on programs have redefined how students experience the agricultural sciences.
As Georgia’s sole recipient this year, Kinsaul joins a prestigious national network of more than 3,000 educators and receives an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. She is the first-ever recipient from Morgan County Charter Schools and the 87th in Georgia since the state joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1990.
Kinsaul earned her bachelor's degree in animal science in 2009, followed by a master's degree in agricultural leadership in 2011.
“CAES is incredibly proud of our alumni who continue to excel and make a difference in their communities. Rachel's receipt of the Milken Educator Award is a testament to her hard work, dedication and innovation as an educator,” said Laura Bayne, CAES director of alumni relations. “The achievements of alumni like Rachel inspire our current students and reinforce our commitment to fostering excellence in education and community service.”
Kinsaul and her husband, Jason, served on the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee in 2020-2021. The Kinsauls won the 2019 GFB YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award and were Top 10 finalists for the 2020 American Farm Bureau award.
Agricultural education gives students hands-on experience
Drawing on her own experience growing up on a beef cattle farm and competing in high school rodeo, Kinsaul has created authentic learning experiences that prepare her students for academic success as well as meaningful careers in agriculture.
“Rachel’s personal experience and professional expertise translate into dynamic, real-world instruction that deeply resonates with students,” said Stephanie Bishop, vice president of the Milken Educator Awards and a 2001 Milken Educator. “From tending livestock to designing floral arrangements and visiting local farms, her students are gaining the tools to become tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.”
At Morgan County High School, Kinsaul significantly expanded student engagement in agriculture, including the launch of a popular floral design course, which encouraged more girls to enroll in agriculture classes. Her “Floral Arrangement of the Month” subscription program, managed in partnership with the school’s special education department, raises funds while giving students hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
She also initiated the school’s Sophomore Service Day to connect students with community service opportunities and led a successful $501,059 fundraising effort to construct the Morgan County Agricultural Learning Lab — a state-of-the-art agriculture barn on campus where students raise livestock and deepen their agricultural knowledge through experiential livestock education. She also serves as the school’s FFA advisor, leading students to success in state and national competitions.
CAES education shaped her career
“Rachel Kinsaul is the definition of a dedicated educator — someone who goes above and beyond to provide real-world, hands-on learning experiences,” said Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “Her commitment to agricultural education and student leadership has a lasting impact not just in the classroom, but across the community and industry.”
Kinsaul also mentors student teachers and presents teaching strategies to educators across Georgia, contributing to the broader advancement of agricultural education in the state.
"My experience in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is what expanded my passion for agriculture and pushed me to want to share that love with students,” Kinsaul said. “The hands-on classes and labs gave me the experience to tackle anything teaching agriculture has thrown at me. And serving as the chair of the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo taught me how to interact with sponsors, make connections and coordinate large events — all of the things I am asked to do on a daily basis.”
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