In 2000, Johanne Ross ran a poorly funded, one-woman effort to educate Manitoba kids about farming and food production.
Since those humble beginnings, Ross has turned Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba into a potent organization that employs eight people and reaches more than 40,000 students in the province annually.
Ross’ dedication and determination to make kids aware of food production and career opportunities in agriculture was rewarded in May, when she became the inaugural chair of Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Canada, a new national voice for agriculture education.
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On its website at www. aitc-canada.ca, the organization describes its goals as enhancing the “knowledge, understanding and appreciation of agriculture” by collaborating with schools and educators across Canada.
Ross said provincial Ag in the Classroom associations already co-operate on projects and programs, but a national organization will build upon and expand that collaboration.
“I don’t want to call it an umbrella (group). But (it) will be a voice on behalf of the provinces, so we can really bring attention to agriculture education across the country,” said Ross, who lives on a farm near Minnedosa, Man.
Trish Jordan, past president of Ag in the Classroom Manitoba, said Ross’s enthusiasm for education and agriculture sets her apart.
“If I was going to choose any word to describe Johanne, I would use passionate,” said Jordan, public and industry affairs director with Mon-santo Canada.
Christa Wright, of AITC Newfoundland and Labrador, said Ross has already championed national ag awareness campaigns, such as Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week.
“Her collaborative nature and knowledge of agriculture issues across Canada makes her the ideal leader to shepherd AITC-Canada into this exciting next phase.”
Ross will work half time as chair of AITC Canada and maintain her job as executive director for AITC Manitoba. AITC Manitoba recently partnered with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to develop a teacher resource called Challenging Conditions.
Ross will also dedicate her time building relationships with potential partners. She hopes to turn AITC Canada into a national organization, as British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick do not have Ag in the Classroom organizations.
“We want all the provinces in Canada and the Territories at our table.”
