Jon Scholl
American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl announced today that he plans to step down this summer after a five-year term as the head of the farmland conservation organization.

Scholl has accepted a position to teach agricultural policy as part of an “experiential learning program” at the University of Illinois’ College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

He also plans to resume his active involvement as a partner in his family’s farm in McLean County, Ill.

Scholl will continue to be an adviser and advocate for AFT. He became the president of the organization in July 2008, after serving as as a counselor on agricultural policy to the Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

AFT board Chair Miranda Kaiser, whose grandmother Peggy Rockefeller founded AFT 30 years ago, said the search for a new president will be led by Aboard member William DeLauder, working with Wendy Pangburn of the executive search firm Pangburn Partners, LLC of Washington.