Amos Johnson

Livestock Education Coordinator

amos.johnson(at)practicalfarmers(dot)org

Amos Johnson joined Practical Farmers of Iowa in May 2022. As the livestock education coordinator, he engages with farmers to create livestock-focused farmer-led events, writes for PFI’s various publications and works to connect livestock producers with the educational resources they need.

Attending Gustavus Adolphus College, Amos majored in the humanities-focused Environmental Studies program. While in school, Amos managed the campus farm and collaborated with professors on interviewing regional farmers to develop classes and programing for the college focused on agricultural issues. He also spent time in Sweden learning about the traditional summer farms of Dalarna, a region in central Sweden, and the Sami reindeer herders of the North.

After graduation, Amos volunteered with AmeriCorps doing historic restoration on buildings and cemeteries across Minnesota. For the two years prior to moving to Ames, he worked in the Twin Cities restoring antique windows and leading workshops for homeowners. Despite all of his travels, Amos’ favorite place is amidst the hills, streams and woods of his family’s century farm in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. He works extensively with Prairie Oaks Institute, an educational non-profit, leading its oak savanna restoration.

Amos started off his life in Iowa and has now returned, accompanied by his wife and three cats. If he’s not baking from his grandmother’s recipes or fermenting something in his basement, he is likely carving kitchen items, reading books or dreaming of bringing Highland cattle to the family farm.