Meet Jerry Bond
Jerry Bond has been a successful dairy producer and a decision-maker on agriculture policy in Nebraska for more than 20 years. His proven leadership, combined with his dedication to his church and community, his ability to form consensus across party lines, and his proven commitment to the taxpayers of Nebraska make him the best choice to represent the people of the 2nd legislative district in the Unicameral.
Jerry was born in Nebraska City and is a graduate of Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School. Upon graduation, Jerry enrolled at Ricks College in Idaho to study broadcasting before becoming a fulltime missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1980 to 1982. He would return to join his father in the day-to-day operation of the dairy farm that has been in the family for three generations. Jerry and his wife, Cathi, were married in 1984.
During his career as a dairy producer, Jerry became active in many professional organizations and is now nationally recognized and respected as a leader on agriculture policy. He has held many elected positions in dairy cooperatives, including more than 22 years of service on the Corporate Resolutions Committee of the Mid-America and Dairy Farmers of America and as current Chairman of the Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board.
Jerry has represented Nebraska’s farmers and dairy producers on many occasions, whether it’s leading a state delegation to Washington to promote the Southern Dairy Compact or championing the interests of America’s Dairy Producers during the formation of the Australian Free Trade Agreement. Additionally, Jerry is often called to testify during state and federal legislative hearings as a leading expert on dairy issues.
Jerry has used his knowledge and experience to help shape policy at all levels of government. He currently serves as a member of U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry’s Agricultural Advisory Committee and has worked closely with U.S. Senators Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson and U.S. Congressmen Lee Terry and Tom Osborne on agriculture policy.
In 2002, Jerry took a policy leadership role as co-author of the National Dairy Supply Management Program which the current CWT Dairy Program is patterned after. This new policy has helped to save taxpayers more than $1.5 billion since its implementation.
Jerry stays active as a father of three and as a volunteer in his church and community. His volunteer activities include 4-H, Cub and Boy Scouts, and coaching youth baseball and basketball teams for more than 20 years. Jerry also stays active in politics, serving as Vice Chairman of the Cass County Republican Party and as a member of Party’s State Central Committee.
If elected to the legislature, Jerry would focus on ways to reduce the tax burden on Nebraska families, to empower local school districts to govern themselves, and would continue to provide needed leadership on important agriculture issues.