Holland Patent Agriculture Teacher Honored at the 2026 NYAAE Annual Conference

Megan Lamb’s ag lessons keep sprouting new opportunities, earning her statewide recognition for cultivating excellence in agriculture education. 

Lamb, an agriculture teacher at Holland Patent Central School District since 2022, was named the winner of the Outstanding Early Career Contest at the 2026 New York Association of Agricultural Educators (NYAAE) Annual Conference. The award honors early-career educators who demonstrate professionalism and commitment to agricultural education.

“I am beyond grateful to have Ms. Lamb as my agriculture teacher because she is someone who truly cares about every single one of her students, both inside and outside of the classroom. She gives so much of her time, energy, and unconditional love to help us grow—not only as students and FFA members, but also as people—and she is always there to encourage us, believe in us, and push us to reach our full potential. I don’t think I could ever fully express how much her guidance and support means to me, and I am incredibly lucky to have a teacher who has made such a meaningful impact on my life,” said Holland Patent junior and FFA treasurer, Reese Finn. 

“Ms. Lamb is someone who has always believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. She gives up so much of her own time, including weekends and summers, to make sure we as FFA members and students get the most out of our high school experience. She is truly my number one cheerleader and inspires everyone around her to be better every day,” said Holland Patent junior Bella Bulson. 

During the June 2026 NYAAE Conference at the Oswegatchie Educational Center, Lamb was also recognized as New York State’s recipient of the Teacher Turn the Key Professional Development Scholarship. This honor highlights her support and leadership in developing quality teachers. As the state winner, Lamb’s application will advance for national evaluation, where she will be considered for a scholarship to attend the National Association of Agricultural Educators Conference.

“These honors are a wonderful reflection of Ms. Lamb’s dedication to agricultural education, our students, and the FFA program. Her commitment to providing meaningful, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences, along with her leadership and involvement at the state and national levels, is truly commendable,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard.

The candidate pool for this year’s awards was exceptional, and NYAAE congratulated Holland Patent Central School District for its strong agricultural program and outstanding representation.

NYAAE recognized Holland Patent CSD and Lamb as key partners in advancing agricultural education across New York State.