by JoAnn Alumbaugh

A friendly smile, a warm countenance and a fair number of farm cats greet visitors to Lynne Johnson’s farm outside of Fairfield, Iowa.

Though soft-spoken, gentle and outgoing, this 2024 Iowa Master Farm Homemaker honoree has overcome more adversity than most. In 2007, her husband, Doug, her mother and her father-in-law passed away, and she was just 54. Those life-changing events might have been overwhelming for some people, but Lynne moved forward, determined to stay on the farm where she and Doug had raised their family. She continues to be actively involved in the farm enterprise as well as community projects.

“Doug had served on the board of the Jefferson County Health Center Hospital for several years, so I knew there was a need for a local kidney dialysis treatment center,” Lynne says. “After he passed in 2007, I worked with a local bank to establish a special account that could accept donations toward building a center. Within one year, we had enough money to build and open the Doug Johnson Dialysis Center next to the hospital. It is well-used and helps many people.”

The start

Lynn and Doug married in 1976 and moved to his family’s Century Farm. At the time, she was teaching home economics and consumer sciences at Fairfield High School, and she continued to teach for the next four years before their first son, Eric, was born. During this same time, she taught microwave cooking at Indian Hills Community College.

“From 1985 to 1994, I owned and operated a half-acre red raspberry patch, opening it to U-pick customers and selling berries to local grocery stores,” she says. “My family and I raised sweet corn as well, which I then sold in town and at local farmers markets.”

Lynne has served on the Jefferson County Extension Council and the Jefferson County Rural Water District. In 1992, she was elected to the board of Access Energy Electric Cooperative.

As if her background isn’t already diverse enough, Lynne earned a degree in Spanish from the University of Iowa from 1999 to 2001 and participated in two 6-week language courses in Spain.

Buying the farm

In 2007, Lynne bought the family farm from her mother-in-law, took over management of the crops, cattle and hogs, and “learned by doing.”

“I learned to always consult with at least three knowledgeable sources before making a decision — and found good renters for the land.” Lynne says.

Besides being actively involved in the farm, Lynne helps with the Jefferson County Fair’s open class exhibits, is involved in the Word of Life Lutheran Church and is a member of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.

Lynne has three children. In addition to Eric, who is a web designer for Shopify, she has a daughter, Jami, who is a graphic designer for ISU. Another son, Kristofor, is in the process of implementing regenerative agriculture on the home farm.

“He’s just started his first herd of pastured, rotationally grazed cattle,” Lynne says proudly.

Although she has a lot of irons in the fire, one gets the impression she wouldn’t have it any other way. She is always ready to lend a helping hand when needed, whether for her family, her community or her church.