Jamie Johansson

President

Jamie Johansson grows olives, specialty citrus and has a few egg laying hens in Oroville, California, where he lives with his wife, two sons and one daughter. He operates an olive oil company called Lodestar Farms. Jamie is a co-founder of the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Association and a former board member of the California Olive Oil Council. He currently serves as the president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Jamie is dedicated to his community, where he has served on the Oroville City Council and as vice mayor.

"I just learned recently... that the diversity of crops grown in California has doubled in the last 25 years. You never stop learning about California agriculture."

Shannon Douglass

1st Vice President

Shannon Douglass is an owner of Douglass Ranch, which raises beef cattle, sunflowers, pumpkins, corn and forage crops, and founded CalAgJobs, an online listing of employment opportunities in California agriculture. Shannon is currently serving as the first vice president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. She is a graduate of the Leadership Farm Bureau program, participated in the American Farm Bureau Federation Partners in Advocacy Leadership program and also graduated from the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Shannon is dedicated to her community and serves on the Glenn County Fair Board of Directors and the advisory board for the Hamilton City FFA chapter and chair of the Orland High School Career Technical Education committee. She is a former director of the Glenn County Resource Conservation District.

"I serve because... As the mom of a kiddo in elementary school and the sister of an elementary school teacher, I know the value of putting AITC resources in the hands of teachers and students."

Becca Whitman

2nd Vice President

Becca Whitman is the Director of Sustainability for The Raley's Companies. The Raley's Companies is an innovative, regional, family-owned grocery chain, operating in 7 states and 4 Tribal Nations with 237 stores in its footprint. Becca is accountable and responsible for the creation of corporate policy, strategy, implementation and leadership of initiatives to strengthen Raley’s brand, energy conservation and governance efforts. Within Raley’s, she has also led community investment efforts and managed Food For Families. Becca started her career in sports management and for more than 16 years, focused on creating strategic business relationships in both professional and collegiate sports. Becca is a proud graduate of Chico State with a Bachelor's in Organizational Communication and a Master's in Communication.

I serve because... as a Mom and a community member, I believe it's critical that kids understand the connection between agriculture, their health and their future.

Correen Davis

Correen Davis is the Managing Partner and Chairman of her family's diversified 4th generation farming operation in Northern California—The Gorrill Ranch. The farm primarily produces California rice varieties, but also maintains a significant orchard segment including almonds, pecans, prunes, and walnuts. Correen started her career as a high school English teacher and maintains her passion for education. Correen is a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership program and currently serves on its Alumni Council and also serves as the co-chair for the Northern California Water Association's Communications Committee.

Mark Dawson

Mark Dawson grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where his only experience with agriculture was in kindergarten when a farmer brought his cow to school to show students where milk came from. Mark joined the California Farm Bureau Federation in 2013, where he serves as the Secretary/Treasurer. He lives in Folsom, California, with his wife, son and youngest daughter. Mark volunteers each year at the California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. He enjoys seeing the light bulb turn on when teachers at the conference realize how important agriculture is to the state and how many great materials are provided free of charge.

"If I could teach a third grader one thing... it would be that California farmers not only grow our food; they feed the rest of the nation and the world."

Bobbin Mulvaney

Her bio coming soon...

Rick Phillips

Rick Phillips grew up on his family's farm in Idaho. He is proud to represent Simplot as their Manager of Public Affairs and representative to agricultural literacy throughout the United States. He works on behalf of Simplot as the regional representative for the Nutrients for Life. Rick is an avid Rotarian, having recently served as the regional president. He has been married for 36 years and has 5 children and 14 grandchildren.

"I serve because... California's Ag in the Classroom program is considered to be the premier program of its kind in the U.S., in large part because California agriculture is in a world of its own."

Jane Roberti

Jane Roberti farms with her husband Dave in Loyalton, California, where they grow alfalfa. Jane discovered the need for agriculture in classroom when she attended the first San Francisco Farm Day in the early '80s. She remembers students asking "how do pigs lay bacon?" and also had a teacher tell her students that cotton comes from the lamb her brother was shearing. Her passion continues as she works locally to help students learn where their food comes from. She supports her local fair with the same dedication and enthusiasm for agricultural literacy.

"One of my favorite memories of teaching agriculture... is when the kindergarteners and first graders would try new fruits and vegetables and then go home and tell their parents."

Craig Thomson

Craig Thomson currently serves as the executive vice president, responsible for leading the overall operation of Zenith AgriBusiness Solutions, a division of Zenith Insurance Company. Prior to joining Zenith, Craig was the VP of Marketing & Sales for Nationwide Agribusiness in Des Moines, Iowa. Craig served as the past Chairman of the Board for "Living History Farms" in Des Moines, Iowa and has been working with Ag in the Classroom for the last 20 years. "Each time I see a student's face light up when they make a connection to how their food and fiber is produced, it confirms that agriculture should be an integral part of classroom instruction," says Craig. Craig has served on the board since November, 2010.

Kenny Watkins

Kenny Watkins is a fifth-generation farmer and rancher, who raises beef cattle, cherries, peaches and hay with his brother. He lives in Linden, California, with his wife and two children. Kenny's entire family enjoys teaching others about agriculture through participating in leadership roles, classroom visits and livestock shows. His daughter, Elisabeth has even demonstrated her cooking expertise and love for agriculture as a competitor on The Food Network, where she recently became a Chopped Junior Champion.

"I serve because... I believe the key place to educate the public about agriculture is in the classroom, starting with the teachers, then, providing students with experiences and knowledge that will last a lifetime."