Fallon woman receives National Ag Advocate Award

Nevada Farm Bureau — Sonya Johnson of Fallon was awarded the National Ag Advocate Award on June 28 during the 2013 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Minneapolis, Minn.

Johnson has worked tirelessly as an advocate for agriculture for more than 30 years. Johnson, along with other volunteer leaders created a formal Ag in the Classroom program in Nevada with efforts through the USDA. Nevada’s Ag in the Classroom program is one of the few programs in the state that has sustained with all volunteer leaders.

Johnson has logged many miles traveling throughout Nevada; her efforts have been statewide and not just bound within the boarders of Churchill County. Johnson has been involved in educating youth and the public via workshops, at the Farm Festival in Las Vegas, at schools (including a remote school serving an Indian reservation), and to children of mine workers.

Johnson is the former president of Churchill County Farm Bureau and currently serves as the county’s Ag in the Classroom Chair. During her tenure as President, Johnson reached out to Churchill County High School culinary students and implemented the “mini-contest.” The contest allows for the students to create a series of posters that promote locally grown food and provide recipes and nutritional information.

“I was fortunate to be involved in our state and to work with all the dedicated volunteers like Dennis Hellwinkel and our teachers and administrators. You can’t work on projects like this without gaining true appreciation of our teachers,” said Johnson.