Meet A First Generation Farmer - 31 Year Old Tanner Johnson

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

If you've ever seen the fascination that kids have with tractors or farm equipment - how they pretend to farm while running their toys over carpet - then you might have a sense of what drives Tanner Johnson.

31 year old Tanner Johnson did not grow up on a farm, but he always knew he wanted to be a farmer. Throughout his life, he was a shadow to local farmers doing whatever he could to be involved. Milking cows, doing field work - didn't matter, Tanner was in.

Today, that 31 year old is doing what he loves - farming. He's currently at home in the small community of Prairie Farm in Barron County. In addition to soybeans, he is involved in the production of corn, winter wheat, alfalfa hay, and various cover crop species in a long-term, no-till environment. Most soybeans produced on the operation are food-grade soybeans and are primarily exported to Southeast Asia for human consumption.

Outside of crop production, Tanner owns and operates a Pioneer Seed agency and agronomy consulting business with his two business partners. Their primary business focus is helping farmers become more profitable and productive in a sustainable manner.

Tanner doesn't limit his engagement in farming to just being ON the farm. He has been involved with the Wisconsin Soybean Association since 2017 when he graduated from the DuPont Young Leaders Program. Tanner was elected to the Wisconsin Soybean Association board of directors in 2021 and serves as an at-large director. Johnson was elected to serve on the American Soybean Association board in December 2022 and serves on the regulatory committee.

He explains to Pam Jahnke why he's driven to be a farmer that's engaged in helping influence his future as a farmer.

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