BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A familiar face in Illinois agriculture is now helping to steer legislative policy for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). Kevin “KJ” Johnson began his new role as director of government relations and strategy for ISA in January. Johnson came to the ISA from the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA), where he oversaw regulatory and legislative issues since 2014 and served as executive director since 2021.

“I got a call in mid-November from John Lumpe, CEO of Illinois Soy, telling me about an opportunity here at ISA to run their government affairs team,” said Johnson, who lives in St. Joseph, Ill., with his wife Anna and three children, and grows soybeans and corn with his family in Champaign and Vermillion counties. “It was just the right opportunity at the right time. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love the government affairs end of stuff. My first love is agriculture and my second love is policy.”

Johnson had worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Tim Johnson (no relation) as his agriculture liaison before coming to IFCA in 2011 to assume a similar role for IFCA. In his new role with ISA, Johnson will manage governmental affairs, stakeholder relationships and community engagements in support of their strategic objectives. 

He will also manage the organization’s outreach efforts while developing policy positions and legislative initiatives. Overall, Johnson’s focus will consist of five areas: Government Relations, Organization Strategy, Congressional Relations, Policy Development and Legislative Outreach.

“We all know the economy at the farm gate is not great right now. Anything we can do to help make our producers more economically viable, we are going to do. If that means legislatively or regulatorily, we’re going to try to do it. We need regulatory certainty the way the farm gate is today,” Johnson told Farm World.

Though soybean growers have indicated overwhelmingly they would prefer restored or expanded markets for their products over ad hoc payouts, Johnson said he would advocate for another round of congressionally approved financial relief for farmers. In addition, he will work to expand the use of domestic biofuels to help fill the void left by lost export sales due to trade disruptions. 

“With some of the stuff that’s going on with trade, we are going to have to use more soybeans back here at home,” he said. “We used to say that half (of Illinois’) beans went down the river to the export market, but that’s going to change in the future and we’re going to have to use more of our soybeans back here.”

Johnson is also focused on fending off potential state-led regulatory action around pesticides. “I just want to make sure that no bad legislation gets passed,” he said. 

Though he is encouraged by news that China appears to be on target to fulfill their reported promise to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans before the end of February, Johnson is wary of China’s purchasing intentions heading into the 2026-2027 fiscal year. 

“I have been told by our national marketing people that (the Chinese) are on pace to buy that 12 million tons but here in the coming months when we begin planting, Brazil and Argentina will begin harvesting. So we will have to see how it plays out; this tariff talk since April 1 has changed so many times that to look into the crystal ball is really tough,” Johnson said. 

Johnson earned a B.A. in Agribusiness and Political Science from Illinois State University. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the FieldWatch, the Illinois Seed Trade Association and the Business and Industry Federation of Economic Concern. 

As a side hobby Johnson enjoys tractor pulls; he and his two brothers restored an old International Harvester 1466 tractor, and the team of siblings compete in over a dozen Illinois Tractor Pulling Association events per year. Their old IH has run on 100 percent biodiesel for the past five years.

“We used to do around 40 hooks per year, but we’re all getting older and with kids of our own now, so we’ve slowed down a bit,” said Johnson. “Our tractor is called ‘Built for Business.’ Hopefully when we’re done with it the kids will start running it.”

During a brief speech at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association’s (IFCA) 2026 convention and trade show in January, Illinois Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II took time to acknowledge Johnson’s service to agriculture and the fertilizer industry. In particular, Costello praised Johnson for his oversight of regulatory and legislative issues and the development of programs that promote stewardship and safety for the nutrient and agrichemical industry. He also welcomed new IFCA executive director Jason Solberg. 

“I’m really happy that  (Johnson)’s still going to be around in the industry with the soybean association; we’re fortunate to be able to keep him around in that capacity,” said Costello.

“I’d also like to tell you that I’ve met with and talked to Jason a number of times, and I think you are in very good, capable hands. He’s been nothing but forthright and transparent, and I look forward to working with Jason.”