(SDSHC) board of directors, during the annual meeting of membership held January 16th, 2020. Johnson will be taking the place of previous board member Jason Kontz, who along with his wife Morgan and their four children grow corn, soybeans and operate a deep pit finishing barn. Kontz was presented with a commemorative shovel and lifetime membership in appreciation for his family’s service and contributions to the soil health movement in South Dakota, over the past two years. Kontz joined the board in 2018 and will be greatly missed.
Johnson joins a board of eight other directors who, along with several staff members, work to promote improved soil health across the state through education and research. Brian along with his parents Alan and Mickie, wife Jamie, and children, farms diverse acres of cropland as well as manages grassland while raising a herd of Angus beef cattle on their operation in Spink County. Soil health practices they utilize include no-till, incorporating diversity into their crop rotations, cover crops, nutrient management, as well as implementing best use strategies on marginal acres. The Johnson’s are heavily involved in their community and Jamie Johnson is a member of the board of directors for the SD Soybean Association as well as Spink County Conservation District.
Another notable organizational update includes the addition of Dave Ollila as a SDSHC staff member beginning in March of 2020. Ollila, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Sheep Field Specialist and a long time agriculture educator will be retiring from his current position at the end of February and looks forward to assisting South Dakota producers, especially those in the western portion of the state, with soil health related questions and consultations. Dave lives with his family near Newell, where they raise sheep and manage a diverse crop and forage operation. For additional information regarding SDSHC staff and contact information please visit www.sdsoilhealthcoalition.org.
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