John M. Paye is a retired geriatric nurse. He received his Diploma in practical nursing from Minneapolis Technical College. While working as geriatric and transitional care nurse, John went to North Central University and earned his bachelor’s degree. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, John went to Bethel Seminary to study Biblical and Theological Studies with an emphasis in World Mission, which is built on strong biblical foundation that prepares you to serve and lead capably and knowledgeably. John worked to assist his three daughters in finishing both college and graduate schools, upon completion his children encouraged him to go back to school and earn his graduate degree. John went to Hamline University, earning a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management (MNM), which provides working professionals the practical knowledge, tools, and skills they need to manage effectively and meet the complex fiscal and economic challenges of the nonprofit sector.
John retired from nursing in December 2018, he then founded Liberian Agricultural Project (“LAP”) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is exclusively organized and operated as part of an integrated approach to bring awareness and interest in food and fruit crop production and manufacturing for rural small-scale farmers in Liberia.
Liberian Agricultural Project is committed to supporting Liberia’s rural small-scale farmers by:
A.) helping them grow food and fruit crops as well as improve vegetable production in rural communities;
B.) helping improve overall farming techniques;
C.) educating them about agri-business to alleviate rural unemployment; and
D.) providing them with access to larger marketing opportunities.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• Liberian Agricultural Project: Aims to help small-scale rural Liberia’s farmers move beyond subsistence farming to large scale commercial farming.
• African Project a Capstone: The goal of John’s capstone project was to bring awareness to small businesses and nonprofit organizations operated by African immigrants with annual budgets of less than $25,000. John focused on assisting the organization serve their respective immigrant communities.
• Honors & Awards: Recipient of the General Grand Chapter Order of Minnesota Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership, 1988 and 1989.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:
• Election Judge: Served as an election judge in Anoka County, Minnesota. John has also served in the roles of Greeter, Roster, Registration, Demonstration, and Ballot Judge. John faithfully follows all election laws to the best of his ability.
• American Refugee Committee (ARC): Responded to the Ebola crisis in Fish Town, Liberia from November 2014 to June 2015. John’s goal was to provide high quality testing, treatment, and care for those who contracted the Ebola virus and to contain the virus from spreading further within the Ivory Coast.
• Opportunity St. Paul: Interfaith Action Organization of Greater Saint Paul matches dedicated volunteers with partner nonprofit organizations with proven records of effectively addressing barriers to economic mobility.
John is the Executive Director & CEO of Liberian Agricultural Project and currently he resides in Liberia. Contact John.