From Horse & Wagon to Nationwide Logistics
From our early beginnings to where we are today, Johnson Feed’s history is shaped by dedication, perseverance, and a passion for serving the agricultural community.
A Legacy of Service, Growth, and Dependability in the Heart of the Midwest
For over 100 years, Johnson Feed has been a family-owned operation dedicated to serving the agricultural and transportation communities. From humble beginnings delivering coal and feed by horse and wagon to operating a modern fleet of 300+ trucks with a 4:1 trailer-to-tractor ratio, we’ve built a business rooted in integrity, hard work, and innovation. Our commitment to customers, drivers, and partners has guided every decision, ensuring dependable service, sustainable growth, and a people-first approach across the Midwest and beyond.
A Legacy of Growth Since the 1920s
What began as a small dray service in rural South Dakota has grown into a multi-generational company built on hard work, service, and family values.
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1920s–1930s: The Beginning
Carl Johnson operated a dray service in Fairview, SD, hauling coal, supplies, and grain for local farmers by horse and wagon.
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1940s: Johnson Feed Is Founded
Cliff Johnson founded Johnson Feed, producing chicken feed and operating a hatchery before expanding into livestock feed and local trucking.
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1950s–1980s: Expansion & Trucking
Darvin Johnson grew the feed and trucking operations, added over-the-road hauling, and built warehouses and offices to support rapid growth.
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1990s–Today: A Growing Family Business
In 1993, Johnson Feed relocated to Canton, SD. Today, we operate nationwide with multiple facilities, a modern fleet, and a growing team of dedicated employees.
The Foundations 1920s–1930s
In the 1920s and 1930s, Carl Johnson operated a dray service in the small farming community of Fairview, South Dakota. With a team of horses and a sturdy wagon, he delivered coal, lumber, and essential supplies to area farmers and hauled their grain to local elevators for marketing.
These early years were defined by hard work, reliability, and a deep understanding of the land and the people who worked it. Carl’s service became a trusted lifeline for families across the region, establishing the values of dependability and community that still guide Johnson Feed today.
Humble beginnings that built a legacy
- Horse-drawn dray service serving Fairview and surrounding farms
- Coal, lumber, and supply delivery in all seasons
- Grain hauling to local elevators
- Foundation of trust and service that would span generations
Johnson Feed Is Born 1940s
In the early 1940s, Cliff Johnson, Carl’s son, founded Johnson Feed in the small town of Fairview. He began by mixing and grinding chicken feed and operating a chicken hatchery to serve local poultry producers.
Demand grew quickly. Cliff expanded into commercial feed for all types of livestock and soon added local trucking with a single straight truck. Before long he added two more trucks, hauling grain, feed, and livestock for area farmers.
A business built on service and expansion
- Chicken feed production and hatchery
- Expansion into full livestock feed lines
- Launch of local trucking operations
- Strong reputation for quality and reliability
Growth & Family Leadership 1950s–1980s
In 1954, Darvin Johnson returned from the Navy and took the reins of the family business. He continued the feed distribution and local trucking operations while steadily expanding both.
In 1963 he purchased land in Fairview, including the lot where he was born, and built a new warehouse with a small office. As trucking demand increased, the fleet grew from straight trucks to semi-tractors. Darvin then launched an over-the-road division, with his wife Martha handling books, billing, and dispatching. By the early 1980s the company had five over-the-road tractors. In 1983 Darvin’s sons joined the business, leading to a new office across the street. By 1986 it was a true multi-generational family operation.
From local hauls to long-distance logistics
- New warehouse and office construction
- Fleet expansion into over-the-road trucking
- Martha Johnson’s critical role in operations
- Sons joining the business and taking on leadership roles
A New Chapter 1990s–Today
In 1993, Johnson Feed moved into a modern warehouse, office, and shop in Canton, South Dakota. This strategic relocation marked the beginning of accelerated growth that continues to this day.
Today the company operates full-service shops and wash facilities in Canton, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, North Sioux City, SD and Waterloo, IA. Johnson Feed dispatches more than 200 company trucks and 120 owner-operators, supported by a 4:1 trailer-to-tractor ratio, across the continental United States (excluding the Northeast). Refrigerated meat and ice cream remain core outbound freight, supported by a mix of refrigerated and dry van backhauls.
From a small-town feed mill to a respected national carrier
- Relocation to Canton, SD corporate headquarters
- Multi-location maintenance and wash facilities
- 300+ truck fleet serving customers nationwide
- 375+ dedicated employees carrying forward family values
Ready to Be Part of the Next Chapter?
From horse-drawn wagons in Fairview to a nationwide fleet today, Johnson Feed remains driven by the same values: reliability, family, and service. Whether you're interested in our services, exploring career opportunities, or just want to connect, we'd love to hear from you.
