Roger is currently the President Elect of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). He played a leading role in the development of policies for the 2002 Farm Bill as chairman of the NASDA Rural Development and Financial Security Committee. In this position, he will again be very involved in drafting policy for the 2007 Farm Bill. In September 2005, Roger was elected chairman of the Insterstate Pest Control Compact, a 36-state alliance committed to controlling plant pests, especially in interstate situations.

Among the issues of great importance to Roger are economic growth and entrepreneurship in rural areas, development of value-added agricultural industries, animal agriculture and renewable energy resources. He believes that North Dakota must develop new agricultural technologies, businesses, and industries that will fuel further growth in the rural sector, thereby ensuring that agriculture remains the backbone of the state’s economy.

As Agriculture Commissioner, Roger serves on the State Industrial Commission, a three-member board that oversees the state-owned Bank of North Dakota and State Mill and Elevator. He also on the State Water Commission, the State Board of Tax Equalization and many other boards and commissions.

Roger was very active in FFA during his high school years, serving as FFA chapter president and as a member of numerous judging teams. He received the highest honors from the FFA---Honorary State and American FFA Degrees---in 2001 for his dedication to agriculture and FFA.

He graduated from North Dakota State University, where he earned a degree in agricultural economics. Roger has a strong background in agricultural mediation, serving as North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Service administrator from 1989 to 1996.

Commissioner Johnson is a member of First United Methodist Church of Bismarck. He and his wife, Anita, are the proud parents of a daughter and two sons.