Director Spotlight: Matt Johnson
May 02, 2025
Matt Johnson farms with his wife Melanie, brother Ben, and his late father near Webster, South Dakota. They grow corn and soybeans together. Matt and Melanie have three daughters: Kennedy, Jersey, and Portlyn.
Matt attended South Dakota State University for ag business before returning home to the farm. He is also a graduate of Class V of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership program (SDARL).
Matt has been involved with the governance of a cooperative for 18 years.
"My experience as a director for the past 18 years has helped me gain a broader knowledge of agriculture worldwide," explains Matt. "It has been a great experience to serve on Agtegra's board of directors, and I am very passionate about the cooperative system and want to continue to help navigate this company into the future for current and future generations."
During his time on Agtegra Cooperative’s board Matt has been elected Second Vice President by his peers. He currently serves on the board’s executive and governance committees. Outside of Agtegra, Matt also serves as chairman for James Valley Grain, LLC.
"Today, the value of the cooperative system is more important than ever before," states Matt. "Consolidation in the mega agricultural sectors has limited our choices to a handful of companies in crop protection, crop nutrients, grain, energy export, and transportation. This is one reason I'm so proud of Agtegra, its employees, and its management for navigating through this and having a spot at the table to negotiate with these companies while providing the best service possible to our patrons."
Matt offers some advice for an agriculture professional interested in becoming more involved within their co-op: "Running for a delegate or non-voting director and taking part in some of the meetings that Agtegra hosts throughout North and South Dakota would be a great way to start," recommends Matt.
Matt attended South Dakota State University for ag business before returning home to the farm. He is also a graduate of Class V of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership program (SDARL).
Matt has been involved with the governance of a cooperative for 18 years.
"My experience as a director for the past 18 years has helped me gain a broader knowledge of agriculture worldwide," explains Matt. "It has been a great experience to serve on Agtegra's board of directors, and I am very passionate about the cooperative system and want to continue to help navigate this company into the future for current and future generations."
During his time on Agtegra Cooperative’s board Matt has been elected Second Vice President by his peers. He currently serves on the board’s executive and governance committees. Outside of Agtegra, Matt also serves as chairman for James Valley Grain, LLC.
"Today, the value of the cooperative system is more important than ever before," states Matt. "Consolidation in the mega agricultural sectors has limited our choices to a handful of companies in crop protection, crop nutrients, grain, energy export, and transportation. This is one reason I'm so proud of Agtegra, its employees, and its management for navigating through this and having a spot at the table to negotiate with these companies while providing the best service possible to our patrons."
Matt offers some advice for an agriculture professional interested in becoming more involved within their co-op: "Running for a delegate or non-voting director and taking part in some of the meetings that Agtegra hosts throughout North and South Dakota would be a great way to start," recommends Matt.