The state’s largest grassroots organization, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), today announced that Joe Johnson has been named the new executive director and secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Johnson assumes his new position on April 20, 2018. He succeeds Denny Presnall who will retire after 36 years with Farm Bureau.

“As a long-time leader in our organization, Joe is passionate about Farm Bureau and brings in-depth knowledge of the organization and agriculture that will be a tremendous asset to us,” says IFBF President Craig Hill. “The IFBF Board of Directors believes his integrity, proven leadership experience and ability to build solid relationships will help lead IFBF into the next century and we look forward to working with him.”

Johnson, a 33-year veteran of Farm Bureau, has served as Director of Field Service since 2010, where he oversees and guides the activities of the Regional Managers and 100 county Farm Bureaus, as well as the Leadership and Farm Business Development areas. In this capacity, Johnson was instrumental in spearheading the creation of a new farm transition program, Take Root, that has assisted over 5,000 members in 99 counties and helped increase participation in the Young Farmer program to a record high.

Prior to that, he served as Senior State Policy Advisor in Government Relations for 13 years, working with the Iowa Legislature to guide policy efforts on behalf of members. From 1985 to 1997, he also served as Regional Manager for six counties in southeast Iowa.

Johnson is a graduate of Wartburg College. He and his wife, Karen, have two grown children and six grandchildren.