Indiana
Biography
Alayne Johnson has been a part-owner of Shady Grove Farms for more than 20 years. The Johnson family has been raising hogs for more than five generations in northeastern Indiana. Currently, they are transitioning their independent, 1,000 sow, farrow-to-finish operation to a contract, wean-to-finish model while working to make plans to bring in the next generation. As independent growers, they marketed around 23,000 hogs last year. They also run a diversified grain operation growing corn, soybeans, and wheat on 8,300 acres.
Alayne served on the NPB Board of Directors for one term (2022-2025). During this time, she held the treasurer position and chaired the Finance committee. She also participated on the Research Project Management committee, the Nutrition Research task force, for which she continues to serve, and chaired the Strategic Planning task force (2024) that led to NPB’s current strategic plan. She has been involved in the Pork Leadership Institute (2018) and has served as a board member for Indiana Pork.
She is currently a board member for the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) as a representative for National Pork Board. She also serves as Whitley County Farm Bureau president as well as her district’s representative on the State Oversight committee for Indiana Farm Bureau.
Nominating Committee Comments
Alayne Johnson needs information before making decisions, knowing that if she is going to lead someone, she needs to know where to go. Likewise, she noted she needs to educate herself because the decisions of the board will adversely affect other people, and she needs to fully understand the repercussions of those decisions. The Nominating committee agreed with this perspective and noted it is extremely mature and impressive.
Since she is personable in nature, her role on the board and area of expertise is connecting with consumers and helping protect the right to operate. She balanced the board during her first term and on the officer team with her intellect in choosing the right words and how the board responds to issues. Finally, she noted the collaboration between NPB and National Pork Producers Council, along with the significance of our state pork associations.