Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson is a fourth-generation farmer. He has made significant contributions to several farming organizations. Johnson has been a persistent advocate for the fuel ethanol industry. His unique
perspective as a farmer was valuable to support business plans promoting farm products as alternative fuel sources. Johnson’s quiet resolve and sound understanding of facts made him an effective speaker and lobbyist, both locally and internationally in London, England and Bordeaux, France.

Johnson worked at Inco Limited in Sudbury before returning to Lambton County in 1973 to run the family farm. He expanded the farm to 750 acres and grew beans, wheat, and corn before switching to cash crops. He lives on the farm with his wife, Ellen. His sons have taken over the day-to-day farming activities.

Johnson became a director of Lambton Federation of Agriculture in 1974. As a member of Lambton Wheat Producers, he organized and supervised a Vomitoxin study in Lambton County. Vomitoxin is a toxin produced by fungi that affects grains. 

He was active with the Lambton Corn Producers, became a director of the Ontario Corn Producers in 1985, and was their president from 1993-1996. From 1990-1999, Johnson was president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. He mentored several students who were attending local fairs and promoting ethanol with the help of Corn Cob Bob, the Ethanol Ambassador. The Ontario Corn Producers and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association both recognized Johnson for his tireless efforts to promote and develop Ontario’s ethanol industry and the use of renewable fuels. 

Johnson has been a member of the Alvinston Rotary Club and has umpired the occasional ball game. In 1992, he received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of significant contributions to community and Canada.

Community Contributions:

• Director of the Lambton Federation of Agriculture, beginning in 1974
• Active member of the Lambton Wheat Producers
• Organized a study of the Vomitoxin toxin in Lambton County
• Active member of the Lambton County Corn Producers
• Director of the Ontario Corn Producers, beginning in 1985; president from 1993-1996
• Spokesman and lobbyist at local, provincial, federal, and international levels, promoting development of the fuel ethanol industry
• President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association from 1990-1999
• Alvinston Rotary Club member