SASKATOON, SK – Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK) announced today that the winner of the 2026 Champion Award is Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel. The award was presented during a #CelebrateAg luncheon in Saskatoon.
Each year, the Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan Champion Award recognizes a recipient who has engaged consumers about agriculture and worked to build public trust in farming and food in our province and beyond.
“We’re incredibly proud to recognize Cherilyn for all the work she does to translate agriculture to people not familiar with farming,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director of FFC SK. “She helps bring the story of Canadian agriculture closer to the consumers who depend on it every day.”
Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel is a Saskatchewan farmer, agriculture advocate, public speaker and corporate director who has spent much of her career helping people better understand modern agriculture and the role farmers play in the food system. Raised near Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Cherilyn grew up on the Prairies and returned to agriculture as a fourth-generation farmer. Today, she and her husband, David, farm with their family near Mossbank, growing crops including canola, durum wheat, lentils and chickpeas.
In 2004, she became the first woman elected president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. During her time with the organization, she represented western Canadian farmers on issues including transportation, trade, government policy and public trust in agriculture. She joined the SaskPower Board of Directors in 2017 and has served on several other boards, including the Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative, Saskatchewan Transportation Company, Canadian National Railway Agriculture Advisory Council. She has worked with FFC SK for several years to help farmers communicate more effectively with consumers about agriculture and food production.
As a keynote speaker, moderator, emcee and media contributor, she regularly speaks to both agricultural and non-agricultural audiences on topics such as the realities of modern farming, agricultural technology, trade, food production and the relationship between farmers and consumers.
Cherilyn represents Canada internationally as an International Director with the Global Farmer Network, where she works on issues related to agricultural trade, technology and amplifying farmers’ perspectives. She has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Most Influential People in Agriculture and as one of Saskatchewan’s Most Influential Women. She has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and an Agricultural IMPACT Award.
In 2025, Cherilyn was selected as a Nuffield Canada scholar, researching how renewable energy infrastructure can affect agricultural land value and farm production.
“Cherilyn Jolly Nagel has been a tireless leader and advocate in agriculture and technology for decades,” said Daryl Fransoo, Chairman of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers and one of the nominators for the award. “Cherilyn’s communication approach and style is welcoming, couched in facts and experience, and has been referenced as the gold standard amongst notable professionals. She is a proven Champion and beyond deserving of this award.”
Darcy Pawlik, CEO of Ag-West Bio and one of the nominators, agrees. “Cherilyn is a true friend of our industry who works to bridge farmers, industry and government like no one else,” he said. “We hosted international guests this summer and where Cherilyn shines goes beyond telling people that Canadian ag is sustainable. She gives examples and authentically shares stories that help attendees really understand the journey of farmers.”
“Presenting this award to Cherilyn—especially during the International Year of the Woman Farmer—is a special honour for Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan,” Clinton Monchuk said. “She continues to exemplify our mission to help people understand food and farming.”
The announcement was made as part of Agriculture Week in Saskatchewan. Learn more:
farmfoodcaresk.org/events-and-programs/ag-week
For more information
| Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan 306-341-4750 clinton@farmfoodcaresk.org | Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel 2026 Farm & Food Champion Award Winner cherilyn@cherilynjolly-nagel.com |