Pam Johnson: The Steward of Generations - Leadership, Legacy, and the Antenna Up Philosophy

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of...' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Pam Johnson, a sixth-generation farmer and groundbreaking agricultural leader. As the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association and a founding member of MAIZALL (International Maize Alliance), Pam has led scientific initiatives including the final mapping of the corn genome while successfully transitioning a multi-generational family enterprise. Discover her profound insights on stewardship, character-building through adversity, and the "antenna up" philosophy that guides transformational leadership.

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Episode Breakdown

00:00 Introduction and the importance of agricultural leadership wisdom

05:18 From registered nurse to sixth-generation farmer: Pam's unique journey

12:36 The turning point: Standing up at the bankruptcy hearing

18:52 The "antenna up" philosophy: Paying attention to what the world needs

25:44 Breaking barriers as the first female National Corn Growers Association president

33:29 Leading the corn genome mapping project: Science meets agriculture

38:22 Building international alliances through MAIZALL

45:36 Succession planning: Transitioning the farm to the next generation

52:12 Resilience lessons from the 1980s farming crisis and 1998 hog market collapse

58:43 Character under pressure: The farming laboratory for leadership development

About Pam Johnson

Pam Johnson is a pioneering agricultural leader whose influence extends far beyond farming. As the first female president of the National Corn Growers Association, she broke significant ground while leading groundbreaking scientific initiatives. As chair of the NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team, she collaborated with the USDA and National Science Foundation to facilitate the final mapping of the corn genome, a breakthrough that transformed agricultural science globally.

Johnson's commitment to advancing agriculture extends internationally through her role as a founding member and former president of MAIZALL, the International Maize Alliance, which unites corn grower associations from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States to address global trade barriers and promote agricultural innovation.

Before dedicating herself full-time to farming, Johnson worked as a registered nurse, bringing a unique perspective to her agricultural endeavors. Her multifaceted career and unwavering dedication to the farming community have earned her recognition as the 2024 Top Producer Women in Ag award winner.

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.

Connect with Simon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/

Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

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