Ray Johnson grows corn, soybeans and sugarbeets with his wife JoLyn and their two sons at R&J Johnson Farms near Glyndon, Minnesota. A Clay County Farm Bureau member, Johnson is active in his community and passionate about agriculture and family.

What Farm Bureau programs have you participated in?
In collaboration with the Clay County Farm Bureau, we educate first and second graders from the Moorhead school district about agriculture. Every April, my wife and I go into the schools and show 130 first-grade students a video of our farm, featuring the operations and equipment used throughout the year. We have samples of seeds that we use, what fertilizer looks like, harvested commodities and food made from that commodity.

In September, those students, now second graders, come out and tour our farm. We have five stations set up representing all the crops grown in our region. The stations consist of samples of seeds, harvested crops, food made from that crop, drones, equipment, grain bins, walk-through fields and a meal.

These events are truly rewarding, and the children, instructors and parents who participate never forget it.

What are the hardest and best parts of your job?
In today’s environment, marketing the crop is harder than normal. Commodity prices today are so low that you have no room to make a mistake and no control over that weather event that might affect your yield or quality of the crop you harvest.

I like the challenge of preparing for the crop year, planting the crop, watching it mature as you care for it and seeing if all the practices you put in place pay off at harvest time. 

What’s one thing you’ve changed on your farm since you started?
I’ve become more conscious of safety in all aspects of the farm. Safety has always been a priority on the farm, but more emphasis on safety information and instruction are needed. Bigger equipment, advanced fertilizing and spraying all require a more informed operator, assistant and well-maintained equipment.

Why is it important to advocate for agriculture?
We need to encourage individuals and businesses to support agriculture for farms and ranches to succeed, which is why it’s so important to educate others and tell our story.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy socializing with family (especially the grandchildren) and friends. I also enjoy any activity that activates the mind and body.