Ag education leader, Johanne Ross, to receive Assiniboine Honorary Diploma

Johanne Ross, a distinguished leader in agriculture education, will be awarded an Assiniboine College Honorary Diploma in recognition of her dedication to education in agriculture and passionate contributions to this important sector.

"I was equal parts shocked, delighted, and then humbled when I heard I was to be honoured with a diploma from Assiniboine College,” said Ross. “It has been a distinct privilege to have my name associated with the college over the past seven years, first as a member of the Board of Governors and then to help lead in the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture fundraising campaign. I have learned so much about Assiniboine over that time and have seen how the college has embraced change and growth through both challenges and opportunities.”

“I am so proud of Assiniboine―the leadership, the faculty, the programs, the research, the students and of course our graduates, all striving for excellence, and achieving it! I thank the Board of Governors and faculty for this tremendous honour, and I will carry it with pride,” she added.

Ross’s accomplishments include decades of experience in organizational development and senior leadership within the Canadian agriculture and food sector. Known for her insightful relationship-building, Ross has led hundreds of stakeholder collaborations, ranging from government entities to private industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba and has pursued a diverse career path that ignited her passion for inspiring youth to engage in agriculture.

Throughout her career, Ross was a foundational builder with Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) in Manitoba and then across Canada, where her leadership was instrumental in the management and growth of AITC programming nationwide, ultimately serving as the national organization’s first Executive Director. Through this work, she was breaking new ground to build strong agriculture literacy offerings in Canada that continue today to deliver unique, relevant and inquiry-based educational experiences for all grade levels. She ensured the development of interactive programs and resources that are embraced by urban and rural educators, while inspiring curiosity, critical thinking and lifelong learning for Canada's agriculture and food sector.

“The college is pleased to be recognizing Johanne for her service to the agricultural sector nationwide. She has been an inspiration in our own pursuit of ag leadership and expansion,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College. “She has been advancing the sector for many years, educating youth on how vast the sector is, the role it plays in each of our everyday lives, and the diverse career opportunities available. She’s a leader in every sense of the word.”

Her contributions to the agriculture and community extend beyond the classroom; Ross has served with local 4-H clubs, the Minnedosa Credit Union board, the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation, The International Agri-Food Network, the Assiniboine College Board of Governors, and as co-chair of Assiniboine’s Prairie Innovation Centre campaign cabinet.

Ross has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to agriculture with a YWCA Woman of Distinction award, and in 2021, was inducted into the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame, honouring her leadership in promoting and enhancing national agriculture education.

Not slowed by her retirement from AITC Canada, Ross continues her involvement in agriculture, now working in human resource management specializing in the agri-food sector.

Ross, along with her husband, three sons and wives, operates a beef cattle farm north of Minnedosa, Manitoba.

Assiniboine College is honoured to recognize Johanne Ross with an Honorary Diploma in Community Development at the morning graduation ceremony in Brandon on June 14^th.