Pelican Rapids farm couple to represent Otter Tail County
Published Thursday, July 31, 2008
Brian and Judy Johnson, who farm west of Pelican Rapids, have been chosen as Otter Tail County representatives to the Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program. They, along with farm couples from 18 other counties in northwest and west central Minnesota, will attend four educational sessions between November 2008 and April 2009.
“We’re honored to represent Otter Tail County and hope to bring back some ideas for the betterment of Pelican Rapids and the surrounding area,” Brian Johnson said.
The Emerging Leadership Program grew out of the King Agassiz Program of the Red River Valley Winter Shows and was developed in 1985 by a small group of people who felt there was a need to help individuals develop their leadership potential. The program was founded on the idea that effective leadership can be learned and those leaders grow into positions of leadership, motivated by a sense of responsibility for themselves and their communities.
The Emerging Leadership Program is currently a program of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Major financial contributions for the program are made available through the Red River Valley Development Association and the West Central Initiative. Additional support for the program comes from the agricultural community, participating counties and alumni of the program.
The Johnsons farm six miles west of Pelican Rapids, close to Highway 108, and grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. They also have a cow calf operation with Black Angus beef.
“We’ve been farming here for 30 years,” Brian Johnson said. “This farm was homesteaded by my great uncle who came here from Norway.”
They are proud to live on the century-plus farm that has remained in the Johnson family these many years. Both Brian and Judy have been active as 4-H volunteers and also have assumed leadership roles with Luther league. Brian serves on their church council.
The Johnsons have three children, Jacob, 22, Mitchell, 20, and Christa, 14. Judy also works at Viking Elementary in Pelican Rapids.
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