Whitley County Pork Producer Seeks Second Term on National Pork Board

Alayne Johnson aims to continue her work expanding markets and connecting with consumers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:08am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring an elegant arrangement of premium pork products, such as chops, sausages, and bacon, displayed on a clean, monochromatic background with sharp, dramatic lighting and deep shadows, conceptually representing the strategic importance of the pork industry and its role in global markets.A premium pork showcase highlights the industry's focus on expanding domestic and global markets.Columbia City Today

Alayne Johnson, a pork producer from Whitley County, Indiana, is running for a second term on the National Pork Board. Johnson has served on the board for three years, including a year as treasurer, and has been involved in various committees and initiatives focused on industry promotion, research, and consumer outreach. As she seeks reelection, Johnson cites the need to continue the board's work in expanding domestic and global markets for U.S. pork.

Why it matters

Johnson's bid for another term on the National Pork Board underscores the importance of producer engagement and industry leadership at a time when U.S. pork faces evolving challenges, including global competition and the need to drive domestic demand. Her experience and focus on market expansion and consumer outreach could help shape the board's priorities in the years ahead.

The details

Johnson co-owns Shady Grove Farms with her husband and family near Columbia City, Indiana. During her first term on the National Pork Board, she served on the Policy and Elections Committee, Research and Project Management Committee, chaired the Strategic Planning Task Force, and continues to serve on the Human Nutrition Task Force. The National Pork Board represents 60,000 pork producers across the U.S. and is responsible for implementing programs of promotion, research, and consumer information to enhance the marketing of U.S. pork.

  • Johnson served a three-year term on the National Pork Board, including one year as treasurer.
  • Johnson is now seeking a second term on the board, with the new directors to be named later this summer.

The players

Alayne Johnson

A pork producer from Whitley County, Indiana, who is seeking a second term on the National Pork Board.

National Pork Board

The organization that represents 60,000 pork producers across the U.S. and is responsible for implementing programs of promotion, research, and consumer information to enhance the marketing of U.S. pork.

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What they’re saying

“My goal, from the very start, is to do whatever I can to help bring our industry together and really make a difference in this industry.”

— Alayne Johnson, Pork Producer

“We want everyone to remember the new tagline, 'Taste what pork can do.' That's one of our efforts right now that we're using to drive our domestic demand. We also keeping that 30% of our product that is exported growing—and we know that by diversifying those markets, our emerging markets, it really helps us protect our position in the global space.”

— Alayne Johnson, Pork Producer

What’s next

The new directors for the National Pork Board will be named later this summer.

The takeaway

Alayne Johnson's bid for a second term on the National Pork Board highlights the importance of producer engagement and industry leadership in addressing the evolving challenges facing the U.S. pork industry, including the need to expand domestic and global markets.