Phillip Johnson

Dr. Phillip Johnson serves as Professor and the Charles C. Thompson Chair of Agricultural Finance within the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. As Director of the Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute, he spearheads research initiatives in agricultural finance and coordinates the Annual Bankers Agricultural Credit Conference, fostering critical industry-academia collaboration. His service extends to the Board of Directors of the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, where he influences statewide agricultural policy and cooperative development strategies.

Dr. Johnson's research program centers on agricultural water economics, with deep expertise in Ogallala Aquifer management, irrigation policy, and climate adaptation strategies for the Texas High Plains. His scholarly work bridges financial analysis with environmental sustainability, examining crop production systems (particularly cotton and grain sorghum), groundwater conservation economics, and the financial viability of farming operations under water scarcity. Recent publications demonstrate innovative applications of sustainability metrics like the FieldPrint Calculator to quantify environmental impacts of agricultural practices.

Analysis of his 2014-2022 publications reveals dominant themes in water resource economics (70% of recent work), including groundwater supplementation feasibility, irrigation efficiency modeling, and climate change impacts on crop choices. Significant secondary research strands address farm succession planning and cooperative governance, reflecting his commitment to practical solutions for family farm transitions and agricultural business structures. His interdisciplinary approach integrates economic modeling with field data to inform policy decisions affecting water-stressed agricultural regions.

While specific scientific awards aren't documented in available materials, Dr. Johnson's named professorship (Charles C. Thompson Chair) signifies institutional recognition of his scholarly impact. His leadership roles in major conferences and industry boards further attest to professional standing within agricultural economics and finance communities.

Though detailed advising records and grant histories aren't provided, Dr. Johnson's 28-year tenure (since 1994) and directorship of the Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute suggest extensive graduate mentorship and externally funded research. His current projects likely involve collaborations with Texas groundwater conservation districts on policy evaluation and sustainable water management strategies.

The Thornton Agricultural Finance Institute operates as Dr. Johnson's primary research hub, directing the Annual Bankers Agricultural Credit Conference that engages 200+ banking professionals annually. His team collaborates extensively with groundwater conservation districts across Texas and international partners on water policy research, while maintaining strong industry ties through the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council.