John Kolk is married to Laura and operates an irrigation and dry land farm in southern Alberta. They are blessed with four children, four grandchildren and live near Picture Butte, Alberta. Together they built and are living in an energyPlus home (Straw bale, adobe flooring, rainwater collection, grey water recycling, solar water heating, wind and solar electric production, habitat project with Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District, Pheasants Forever, DU).

John has served on many boards including the Alberta Water Council (AWC), Alberta Economic Development Authority (AEDA) He is Founding Chair of the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company (AEFP) and County Councillor for the County of Lethbridge. He currently serves on Agricultural Products Marketing Council.