Ian Boyd
Chair
Prairies Producer Director

With an interest in the “regenerative agriculture movement,” Ian is attempting cover crops, inter-cropping, and soon a variety of livestock on his North-East Saskatchewan farm. He is a former board member with the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association and continues to serve on two of the SSCA committees. He serves as a board member on the Conservation Learning Centre, one of the eight Agri-ARM sites within Saskatchewan. His formal education includes engineering and business.

Kier Miller
Past Chair
Eastern Producer Director

Kier Miller currently lives and farms in Sussex Corner, NB. He attended Nova Scotia Agricultural College and graduated with an Agricultural Engineering Technician Diploma.

After working in the farm equipment business for several years he then worked for a large feedlot. He then moved to Sussex and purchased his own farm.

He is a long time member of New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Assn and is a past director and secretary treasurer of Kings County Soil and Crop Improvement Assn. He is Chairman of the New Brunswick Grain Commission and a director of the Atlantic Grains Council

Miller Farms currently focuses on cash cropping, custom work and seed and crop supply sales. His farm is currently 100% no-till, in a corn, soybean, pulses and small grains rotation. Recently added cover crops to the crop plan. Custom work includes planting all kinds of crops, drying grain and combining.

Misty Croney
Industry/NGO Director

Misty is VP and partner at LP Consulting, an agriculture consulting company that specializes in crop management plans, waste-to-resource programs, soil amendments and on-farm agronomy research. Their work in waste resources won them the Mobius Award of Environmental Excellence.  Misty works closely with farmers developing crop management plans to help them achieve higher yields and long-term profitability through improved soil health. Her work creating waste-to-resource programs has resulted in successful soil amendment products which improve sustainability and benefits farmers, industry and the environment.  Raised on a cow-calf beef operation, she has spent her lifetime working in agriculture. She has experience working throughout Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Alberta.

Catherine King
Industry/NGO Director

Catherine King is Vice President of Communications and Stakeholder Relations for Fertilizer Canada where she is responsible for the strategic communications and stakeholder relations for the association. Catherine works to ensure that the story of the fertilizer industry is told and there is an understanding of the essential role that the fertilizer industry plays in both Canadian and global agriculture.

Since joining Fertilizer Canada, Catherine has developed and executed campaigns on a variety of programs and initiatives, which have helped her to develop a strong understanding of the industry and its priorities.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Catherine attended McGill University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Candian History. While attending McGill, Catherine worked at Ogilvy Renault in the Patent and Trademark Department. In 2006, Catherine completed her post-graduate degree in Corporate Communication at Seneca College, graduating with honours. Catherine worked for a Public Relations agency in Toronto prior to joining Fertilizer Canada.

Alan Kruszel
Eastern  Producer Director

Alan and his family operate a small 1st generation cash crop farm as well as a crop consulting business in Stormont County, Ontario. They grow primarily corn, soybeans and cereals as well as many types of cover crops using no-till practices. The farm philosophy is to keep something living on the land at all times of the year. Through their consulting business they promote soil health building practices such as reduced tillage and no-till, diverse crop rotations and the use of cover crops. They also provide a suite of other agronomic services to many local producers.

Dr. David Lobb
Industry/NGO Director

Dr. David Lobb is a Professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba. He received his B.Sc. (1987) in physical geography from the University of Toronto, and his M.Sc. (1991) and Ph.D. (1998) in soil science from the University of Guelph. Before moving to Manitoba in 1999, David worked in Ontario and across Atlantic Canada. He grew up on a cash crop farm in southern Ontario.
Dr. Lobb’s research, teaching and extension activities are in the areas of soil erosion, soil and water conservation and sustainable agriculture. A major focus of David’s research has been the causes and management of soil variability in agricultural landscapes. He is internationally recognized for his research in tillage translocation and tillage erosion. In support of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s agri-environmental initiatives, David has made major contributions to the national assessment and prediction of soil erosion and sedimentation. David also represents Canada on the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils.

Jack Swainson
Prairies Producer Director

Jack was born and raised on the family farm west of Red Deer, Alberta, where he continues to live and enjoy the attributes of semi retired farming. Jack attended High School in Red Deer, University of Alberta and has taken the opportunity to participate in a multitude of educational and skills development courses over the years. He is enjoying his second year on the Board of SCCC.

Throughout his farming career, he has been very active in farm organizations, commissions, cooperatives, Federal and Provincial councils and committees and within his own Rural Community. Thru these commitments and a passion for the Agricultural Industry, Jack has been able to tour farms and the industry in Western Europe and Australia.

With his interest and dedication to environmental stewardship and the sustainability of the farm, Jack began a journey into Reduced Tillage and then Zero Till in the late 90’s. This decision has served the farm (Sygnet Glen Farm) well with reduced costs and notable improvements in soil health and biodiversity.

He and his wife Jacquie have two adult children and six grandsons. The peace and tranquility of rural life and the farm will always be a treasured aspect of their lives.

Dr. Justine Taylor
Industry/NGO Director

Dr. Justine Taylor recently assumed the role of director of stewardship and sustainability for CropLife Canada.  In this role Justine supports both industry stewardship efforts as the executive director of the Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association and contributes to the larger sustainability efforts of Canada’s plant science sector. Justine comes to this role after nearly 10 years in the greenhouse sector and was most recently the science and government relations manager for the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. A keen supporter of collaboration, Justine has contributed to several cross-sectoral initiatives in her previous role and continues to sit on several local volunteer boards in her home town of Windsor, Ontario. Justine holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta with a focus on analytical chemistry.

Our Staff

Jim Tokarchuk
Executive Director
Tel: 204-792-2424

It has been my pleasure to study and work within the agriculture and agri-food industry in Canada for nearly 40 years. Most of my career has been in the public service, which provided me with broad experience across Canada and the privilege of working with many ag professionals in all areas of the industry.

I was born, raised and have lived in the great City of Winnipeg, Manitoba all my life. My wife Joanna and son David still enjoy the benefits of city life, but as often as possible, we seek solace in the peace of the country side.
Rural Canada has always had a grip on me. As a student it led me to be one of few city kids to join the ranks of U of M Aggies.

My studies at the University of Manitoba ultimately led me to complete a Master’s Degree in Soil Science in 1982.

I began working for the Public service in 1986 with Manitoba Agriculture holding several positions related to soils. In 1986 I moved to the federal government and joined the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) where I worked on many rural issues from infrastructure to soil conservation to agri-environmental programs.

After my retirement from Agriculture Canada in 2015 I became the Executive Director Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) and to this day I enjoying working with SCCC and serving their passion for soil conservation and health in Canada.

Tanya Craddock
Administration Manager
Tel: 306-262-1729

After receiving a diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management from SIAST, Tanya’s passion for events, travel and people led her to a fifteen-year career in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Saskatoon, Jasper, Toronto and back to Saskatoon! Tanya joined the agriculture industry in 2011 working for a company that managed multiple development commissions and agriculture groups. Since 2019, she has been the Executive Director for the SaskSoil and became the Administration Manager for the Soil Conservation Council of Canada in 2021.

Tanya lives in Warman, SK with her three children Emilie, Jayden, and Chloe. They enjoy camping and spending time on the water in the summer.