08/15/2026
Otis Johnson Represents America’s Peanut Farmers at White House Rose Garden Dinner - In late June 2026, President Trump hosted a special White House Rose Garden dinner honoring American farmers, ranchers, and growers as a kickoff event for the nation's 250th birthday celebration and the opening of the Great American State Fair. The event highlighted the vital role of farming and land stewardship in America’s history.
As Western Peanut Growers Association’s President, Otis Johnson was invited to attend the event as an honoree at the Rose Garden Dinner. He was one of approximately 120 people in attendance who enjoyed vegetables from the White House Kitchen Garden and honey from the White House Beehive.
It was at this event; President Trump announced his formal request for $11.1 billion in supplemental economic assistance for American farmers to counter volatile commodity markets and high fuel and fertilizer costs. The announcement was heavily emphasized during his speech to the agricultural leaders in attendance. “We appreciate President Trump’s support of American Agriculture. There is No doubt our farmers and ranchers and their bankers will welcome the much-needed help once it is passed into law.” said Johnson.
Among those attending were USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden, USDA Chief of Staff Tate Bennett, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Chief Agricultural Negotiator Julie Callahan, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, and HHS Senior Adviser Calley Means. There were also several distinguished Senate and House Ag Committee Members present, as well.
Mr. Johnson said, “I am very honored to have been invited to be the voice of West Texas and America’s peanut farmers. I would like to say thank you to President Trump, Secretary Brooke Rollins and all who made this entire experience possible. Most of all, it is reassuring to have a President and his Administration who are concerned and understand the perils of Agriculture.”
