BOZEMAN — As Montana State University’s annual Celebrate Ag event approaches, the MSU College of Agriculture has named Cyndi Johnson, a wheat farmer from Conrad and president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, as the recipient of the university’s highest agricultural honor.
Johnson is the 2026 recipient of the college’s Outstanding Agricultural Leader award. Each year ahead of Celebrate Ag, members of the agricultural community across the state nominate individuals who embody service and make lasting contributions to the industry. Johnson will be honored during Celebrate Ag week, which will run Oct. 25-31 with events on and off the MSU campus.
“Cyndi Johnson and her family have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to Montana agriculture and agricultural research,” said Darrin Boss, the college’s associate dean for research and the associate director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. “Their willingness to give their time, energy, and service on behalf of Montana’s farmers, ranchers and agricultural communities reflects a genuine dedication to the future of our state. That kind of involvement and personal sacrifice has made a meaningful difference to Montana agriculture.”
Johnson’s involvement in Farm Bureau began in 1996 with the Front Range County Farm Bureau, where she served as a board member, secretary, vice president and president. She was elected vice president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation in 2016 and became the first woman to lead the organization as president in 2021.
Over three decades, her volunteer work has ranged from teaching children about ATV safety and sharing information about agriculture at county fairs to testifying before the Montana Legislature and advocating for farmers and ranchers in Washington, D.C.
“Cyndi Johnson has a deep love for promoting and serving as a leader for agriculture,” wrote Scott Kulbeck, executive vice president of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, in a letter supporting the nomination. “She is incredibly hard working and generous with her time, which is noticed by and inspires other Farm Bureau leaders.”
According to Kulbeck, Johnson attends at least 10 county Farm Bureau meetings across Montana each year, traveling thousands of miles to connect with members and discuss agricultural issues. She has also represented Montana agriculture on international trade missions to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan and served on state committees addressing property taxes and agricultural land classification.
Johnson was also recently selected as one of seven American Farm Bureau leaders to attend a White House event marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Her service extends beyond agricultural organizations. Johnson spent 12 years as a Pondera County commissioner, including a term as president of the Montana Association of Counties. She chairs the Many Rivers Whole Health board and previously served as secretary-treasurer of the Montana Cooperative Development Center board. Her other leadership roles have included membership on the National Association of Counties Finance Committee and the Pondera Regional Port Authority board, as well as serving as president of Sweet Grass Development.
Agricultural education and leadership development have been consistent priorities throughout her work. Johnson has supported FFA through judging contests, assisting with district and state events, and helping the FFA Alumni Association recruit members and raise money.
She has also participated in the Montana Farm Bureau Federation’s ACE leadership development program, Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership Montana, and Leadership Montana, encouraging other agricultural leaders to pursue similar opportunities.
“She has worked very hard to hone her leadership skills,” Kulbeck wrote. “She puts those skills into use every day and makes sure others have the same opportunity.”
Johnson will be recognized at the annual Celebrate Ag social event on Friday, Oct. 30, and the Bobcats’ Ag Appreciation football game on Saturday, Oct. 31. A full schedule for Celebrate Ag can be found at https://ag.montana.edu/celebrateag/ and a list of past Outstanding Ag Leader recipients can be found at https://ag.montana.edu/celebrateag/outstandingaggie.html.