Whitley County Pork Producer Seeks Second Term on National Pork Board

Alayne Johnson aims to continue her leadership role in expanding markets and engaging with consumers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:12am

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A polished, geometric metal sculpture of a pig, lit dramatically from the side against a clean, monochromatic grey background, conceptually representing the pork industry's emphasis on modernization and international market expansion.A modern, abstract sculpture of a pig symbolizes the pork industry's focus on innovation and global competitiveness.Columbia City Today

Alayne Johnson, a pork producer from Whitley County, Indiana, is seeking 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 promoting the pork industry, expanding markets, and connecting with consumers.

Why it matters

Johnson's bid for another term on the National Pork Board signals a continued emphasis on producer engagement, market expansion, and consumer outreach at a time when the pork industry faces evolving challenges, including global competition and the need to drive domestic demand.

The details

Johnson co-owns Shady Grove Farms with her husband and family near Columbia City, Indiana. She has served on the National Pork Board, the Indiana Pork Board, and the Whitley County Farm Bureau, participating in various leadership roles and initiatives. The National Pork Board is responsible for implementing programs of promotion, research, and consumer information to enhance the marketing of U.S. pork and pork products.

  • Alayne Johnson has served on the National Pork Board for the past three years.
  • She is currently 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 co-owns Shady Grove Farms with her husband and family. She is currently 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 and pork products.

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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 underscores the industry's continued focus on producer engagement, market expansion, and consumer outreach as it navigates evolving challenges, including global competition and the need to drive domestic demand for pork.