Jerry Nelson Title: Columnist Location: Volga, South Dakota Expertise: Columns on farm life Jerry began writing a weekly freelance column called Dear County Agent Guy in 1998. His work has since been published by many of the nation's premier publications, including Successful Farming and Reader's Digest.Jerry and his seven siblings grew up on his family's small dairy farm in eastern South Dakota. Jerry began dairy farming on his own in 1979. In 1983, Jerry and his wife, Julie, formed a partnership with Jerry's parents and combined their dairy operations. Jerry's father passed away suddenly in 1994; Jerry kept on dairy farming on his own until he exited the business in 2002.The Nelsons continue to live on the farm that was homesteaded in 1887 by Jerry's great-grandfather Charlie Sveen. Jerry and Julie have two adult sons and one toddler grandson.Jerry's book of selected columns, titled Dear County Agent Guy, was published by Workman Publishing in 2016. Jerry is currently employed as a writer/ ad salesman for the Dairy Star, a biweekly newspaper that is read by dairy farmers across the Midwest. The Nelsons lease out their farmland on shares, so they remain deeply concerned about rainfall and crop prices. Education Graduate of Sioux Valley High School, Volga, South Dakota About Successful Farming Successful Farming, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning print publication and online resource with trustworthy, indispensable farming advice for corn, soybean, wheat, and livestock producers. Our original reporting covers many different topics, with our stories deeply researched by our editors and a select group of veteran freelance writers who rely on trusted, expert sources. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.