The Honorable Julius Johnson
Commissioner of Agriculture
Ellington Agricultural Center
440 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN 37220
Ex-officio Member

Julius Johnson was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam and sworn in as Tennessee’s 36th Commissioner of Agriculture in January 2011. 

As commissioner he directs the work of more than 800 full- and part-time employees with responsibilities ranging from farm and agribusiness development, food safety and pesticide regulation to animal and plant health protection and forest and water resources management.

Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, serving thirty-seven years in various positions with one of the leading farm and rural advocacy organizations in the nation.  Having had extensive experience in working with government at local, state and federal levels, he is widely regarded as a leading authority on farm policy and rural issues.     

He is active in many civic organizations and has served on the University of Tennessee Agriculture Development Board and in leadership with the Maury County Chamber of Commerce.  He was a Kiwanian and supports the Boy Scouts as president-elect of the Middle Tennessee Council.
 
He has been recognized by numerous organizations including the Future Farmers of America and the University of Tennessee Gamma Sigma Delta Honorary Society and Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity.

A native of Forbus, Tenn. in Fentress County, Johnson received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.  He and his wife, Karen, have two adult children and make their home in Columbia, Tenn.