Cheryl Johnson is the new executive director of the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC), as Pat Tonn retires from the role after 10 years.
“Cheryl’s unique blend of rural heritage, non-profit leadership excellence, and dedication to sustainable agriculture makes her the ideal leader,” says BCAITC president Tony Hollett. “Her track record in scaling organizations and building impactful partnerships will be invaluable as we expand our reach and inspire future generations about BC’s vital food system.”
Johnson brings a background in non-profits and experience in executive leadership to BCAITC. She was raised in the West Kootenays with a multi-generational farming family and has a passion for local food systems.
She most recently served three years as executive director of Vancouver-based FarmFolk/CityFolk, following similar roles with Community Futures BC and the BC Wildlife Federation.
Tonn started with BCAITC as a board member before being appointed executive director in 2015.
She drew on her experience as a secondary school teacher and manager of youth development programs with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food to expand BCAITC’s program to engage more than 500,000 students from kindergarten to high school each year.
“What I am most proud of is all the exceptional programs, classroom resources and great activities that we have built and grown together with ag associations, farmers, government, Indigenous colleagues and teachers, each sharing their expertise and knowledge to help kids learn about our BC agriculture and food,” she says. “Together we made a difference for agriculture.”
The difference had national impact, with Tonn serving as chair of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada from 2020 to 2022.
Tonn says the people she has met and worked with during her “fantastic career” are what she will miss most.
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