2023-2024 CoAITC BOARD & STAFF
Board of Directors
Keri Powers , President The Growing Life Garden Project-Las Animal / Huerfano Heath Dept ., Colorado City
Cassidy Johnston , Vice President JRC Ranch Management and Consulting , Canon City
Sallie Miller , Secretary / Treasurer Croissant Red Angus / American AgCredit , Briggsdale
Jennifer Luitjens Bahr Rocky Mountain Farmers Union , Parker
Jim Ehrlich Colorado Potatoes - SLV , Monte Vista
Idella Lewis Maple Grove Grange / Colorado State Grange , Wheat Ridge
Cindy Pearson Retired Teacher / 2XL Cattle Company , Loma
Sondra Pierce Escalante Ranch / Pierce Farms , Delta
Advisory Board
Jenny Bennett CSU Agriculture Education Program , Wellington
Tasha Chevarria West Arapahoe Conservation District , Kiowa
Charity Dowdell Eaton Middle School , Eaton
Bethany Howell Colorado Department of Agriculture , Del Norte
Julie Moore Colorado Beef Council , Aurora
Colleen Peppler Peppler Farms , LLC , Platteville
Shelby Rich National Western Stock Show , Grand Junction
Michelle Skaggs Tuff ’ s Ranch / Tuff ’ s Animal Rescue , Bennett
Terry Tormohlen Retired Farmer and Egg Producer , Fort Morgan
Sarah West Rocky Mountain Farmers Union , Fort Collins
Aubriel Zachman Colorado State University - DARE , Johnstown
Staff
Jennifer Scharpe Executive Director Full-time , Westminster
Cyndi Hofmeister Education Program Coordinator Part-time , Fort Morgan
Lucee Church Resource Coordinator Minimal-time , Loma
Melissa Walter Silver Silos Management Services , LLC Minimal-time , Hudson
FINANCIAL STRATEGY & MANAGEMENT
As a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization , the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture receives its financial support from a combination of corporate and organizational sponsorships , individual contributions , and grants , which sustain its Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom initiatives . These funds are vital in supporting the programs and operations of the organization , enabling it to continue its work of advancing agricultural literacy .
Sources of Gifts - 175 Total Donors
Revenue |
General Donations |
$ 32,753 |
Colorado Reader Program |
$ 67,312 |
Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes |
$ 55,560 |
Colorado Literacy Project |
$ 57,029 |
Activity Books |
$ 5,712 |
Journey 2050 |
$ 10,000 |
Other Income |
$ 1,609 |
County & Regional Ag
Organizations $ 34,178
Individuals , Farmers , Ranchers , & Small Businesses : $ 34,785
Grant ( Government & NGO ): $ 49,690
State Associations & Commodity Organizations : $ 83,467
Total Income |
$ 229,975 |
Expenses |
Program Expenses |
$ 73,079 |
Conventions , Meetings , & Events |
$ 11,787 |
Fundraising & Marketing |
$ 1,845 |
Management & General |
$ 154,897 |
Total Expenses |
$ 241,608 |
Net Operating Loss |
- $ 11,633 |
Corporations : $ 69,130
For every dollar donated to Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom , the return on investment was 175 %.
CoAITC Outstanding Teacher Award
2024 Winner - Susan Irwin , Pioneer Elementary , Parker , CO
The Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom ( CoAITC ) Outstanding Teacher Award is given to an educator currently engaged in classroom instruction at the preK-12 grade levels . This award was presented in January during a special event hosted by USDA Under Secretary Jenny Moffitt and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg .