Derek Johnson is young farmer in Johnson County who grew up on his family farm.  He owns 14-acres and leases another 200-acres.   He presently has twelve cows on his land and plans to grow his herd.  Derek has always worked in his family’s cattle business which at one time had about 400 head.  Derek will use the $5,000 SOAR Farm Loan to expand his feeder calf operation, growing them through the summer, and selling the cows when he feels the market is right.  Derek sold his cattle in mid-2017, repaid his SOAR loan and then borrowed $7,500 more to continue to build his herd.