TPPB Directors
Otis Lee Johnson
TPPB Secretary/Treasurer
Seminole, Texas
Otis Lee Johnson farms in Seminole, Texas. On average, Johnson farms nearly 600 acres of peanuts and 2,320 acres of cotton. He was previously awarded the Southwest Farm Press Peanut Profitability Award, which honors farmers who produce the highest yields at the lowest cost per acre.
Johnson has been farming his own land for 21 years. He graduated from Tarleton State University with a bachelor’s of science degree in agri-business in 1984. After graduating, he returned home to farm with his father.
“Farming is all I’ve ever really wanted to do,” Johnson said. “It’s always been a part of my life and I didn’t want to leave the farming business.”
As current secretary/treasurer and past chairman, being active in TPPB is important to Johnson and he believes representing others is a key component to doing his job right.
“It’s important to be involved with research and to see how it benefits me and other producers,” Johnson said. “These developments are important in moving the peanut industry forward.”
Johnson’s main goals while serving on the board include, continuing research and promotion that benefit producers of his represented district and advancing development of new peanut varieties.
A major issue on Johnson’s mind is genomics.
“I think we need to increase genomic knowledge to make it something Texas producers can utilize successfully,” Johnson said.
While Johnson is active with TPPB, he makes time to be involved in a number of other organizations. He currently serves on a number of board, including the American Peanut Council export division, Western Peanut Growers, and Gaines County Livestock Show Association board, as well as the Seminole ISD board of trustees, Gaines County AgriLife Extension committee, and the First Baptist Church council.
Even with a busy schedule, Johnson makes time for his family. He has been married to his wife Teri for 23 years and they have two children; Jenna, 18, who plans on attending Howard Payne University in the fall and Kaley, 15.
