Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jerry Nelson
The hangover month
Of all the months of the year, November most closely resembles a hangover. This is not just because it follows the twin bacchanals of Oktoberfest and Halloween. It's also due to the fact that here in the Northland average high temperatures are plummeting and days are growing shorter at a pace that's often associated with the Kentucky Derby. The trees have shed their Technicolor autumn wardrobe, and migratory waterfowl are booking airline flights for the Gulf coast.
Dear County Agent Guy: November feels like hangover
Sparkles, the Nelsons’ cat, transitions every autumn from a rugged outdoors feline to a pampered indoors housecat. If Sparkles isn’t catnapping or sleeping, she’s using her powerful cat mind waves to gain access to unoccupied laps. Courtesy photo. Of all the months of the year, November most closely resembles a hangover. This is not just because it follows the twin bacchanals of Oktoberfest and ... Remember Me
A scary season
We're afflicted with oodles of scariness and creepiness at this time of year. And I'm not just talking about Halloween; Election Day is also looming in the gloom. It's bizarre that these bizarre things occur at roughly the same time. But I'm OK with that. Let's get all the frightening stuff out of the way and be done with it.
Dear County Agent Guy: Voting booths, haunted houses much alike
Every patriotic American needs to vote. Failure to do so should forfeit your right to complain about the way things are going. Photo by Jerry Nelson, for The Watertown Current. We’re afflicted with oodles of scariness and creepiness at this time of year. And I’m not just talking about Halloween; Election Day is also looming i... Remember Me
Guest Column: Rotary Involvement in the Fight Against Polio
Rotary was formed as the world’s first service club by Paul P. Harris in Chicago, Illinois in 1905. New clubs formed across the U.S. and in Canada, Ir... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Finding Laura
Anne Aamot, a De Smet, South Dakota area farmer, and Mary Jo Wertz, Executive Director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, pose in front of a portrait of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. I’ve been reading the book “Prairie Fires” by Caroline Fraser. I chose it for a couple of reasons. First was that it involves Laura Ingalls Wilder who... Remember Me
My favorite waitress
Community Voices By Jerry Nelson October 13, 2026 5 min read Photo courtesy of Jery nelson This marvelous former waitress enjoyed a recent production of “Waitress: The Musical” at the Washington Pavillion in Sioux Falls. I married a waitress, so it seemed appropriate to take her to see "Waitress: The Musical." You know that a play is off-off-off Broadway when it's being performed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Not that I'm complaining.
Dear County Agent Guy: Art really does imitate life
This marvelous former waitress enjoyed a recent production of “Waitress: The Musical” at the Washington Pavillion in Sioux Falls. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. I married a waitress, so it seemed appropriate to take her to see “Waitress: The Musical.” You know that a play is off-off-off Broadway when it’s bein... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Clean bill of health is a huge relief
Jerry Nelson’s latest visit to this clinic proved to be a life-changing event. Courtesy photo. My finger hovered over the mouse button. Did I really want to read this report? No matter what it said, it would be life-changing. The report containe... Remember Me
A Diamond experience
Our weather of late proves the truth of the axiom, "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it." This past summer was hot and dry in our neck of the woods. Summertime conditions were so sizzling that an expectoration would evaporate before it could reach the ground. Thanks to modern technology, we all have access to weather radars on our smartphones. This proved to be a form of torture.
Dear County Agent Guy: Neil Diamond tribute was so good, so good, so good
Matt Vee, at center, headed up a Neil Diamond tribute concert held recently at the Washington Pavillion in Sioux Falls. Joining him onstage were his wife, Julie, and their 17-year-old son, Will. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. Our weather of late proves the truth of the axiom, “Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.” This past summer was hot and dry in our neck... Remember Me
Gone antiquing
Our old neighbor Al Warnes had a knack for malapropisms that were unintentionally amusing. For instance, "transplant" always came out as "replant" as in, "She got a kidney replant." And "rummage sale" was unfailingly pronounced as "rubbish sale." That last turn of phrase contains a tiny nugget of truth. My wife and I have been doing some antiquing lately. I've discovered that antique stores are essentially huge, ongoing rummage sales.
Dear County Agent Guy: ‘Antiquing’ just another word for ‘shopping’
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions. Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window) __utmb Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
Uncovering war stories
Community Voices By Jerry Nelson September 15, 2026 5 min read Photo clurtesyh of Jerry Nelson The undress white Navy uniform that Leonard Nelson wore during his service in WW II has been archived in a shadowbox. A second set of his uniforms have been donated to the Brookings County Museum. The bulging white canvas bag arrived at my Nelson grandparents' farmhouse in late February 1946.
Dear County Agent Guy: Honoring those preserved our freedom
Leonard Nelson’s undress white Navy uniform. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. The bulging white canvas bag arrived at my Nelson grandparents’ farmhouse in late February 1946. On one side is Grandpa’s address; on the other is scr... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Making things vanish, then reappear
A ballpeen hammer that had disappeared was found next to the bench vise after a frustrating search of the shop and its surrounding environs. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. I was about 6 years old when I discovered that I have an extraordinary talent for making things disappear. I owned a Barlow jackknife that had both a ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Enjoying Toast
The stage prior to Toast’s performance. Photo by Jerry Nelson. My wife, my sister Jane, and I recently got toasted. It had nothing to do with overconsumption of alcohol or being feted at a festive gathering. This ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Being a grandpa is hard work
A pair of paper airplanes proved to be one of the cheapest and most fun toys when it came to entertaining a 6-year-old grandson. The boy insisted that they be labeled so that nobody could steal them. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. My wife and I recently provided a week of daycare for our 6-year-old grandson. It will probably take me a month to recover. We had taken care of littl... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Critter attrition probably is for the best
Editor’s note: Jerry Nelson is on vacation this week, so here is a column from his “Oldies” file. Wildlife must be doing quite well, judging by the vo... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Home is where the hard work is
This living room wall has been prepped for its first new paint in 32 years. The previous drywall finisher (Jerry) had done a woefully inadequate job of mudding and sanding many of the drywall’s joints. Photo by Jerry Nelson. The joys of home ownership are infinite. And by “joys” I mean “pain-in-the-patootie maintenance issues.” If a wife says to her husband, “I’m thinking ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Flight of the Dragonfly a unique experience
Wayne Ulvestad’s Dragonfly airplane. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. The exotic-looking gizmo sat on the tarmac, its bone-white paint gleaming in the summer sun. It’s a peculiar gadget, with two wings that are roughly t... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Nelsons mark 145 years of farming
Gilbert Nelson left Norway in 1864 and settled in Ettrick, Wis. He then joined the Wisconsin Regulars and served in the Civil War. By 1881, Gilbert and his wife, Anna, had five sons and a daughter. Hoping to carve out a new life in Dakota Territory, the Nelsons loaded everything they owned onto a railcar and headed west. Luck wasn’t on their side. All their possessions, except for the family Bible, were destroyed when the railcar caught fire.
Dear County Agent Guy: Brookings park becomes an artistic outburst
Dear County Agent Guy: Brookings park becomes an artistic outburst By Jerry Nelson - July 13, 2026 in Column, Featured Reading Time: 4 minutes
Dear County Agent Guy: Sometimes, you just need a vacation
A herd of American bison slowly meanders across the Wildlife Loop Road, located in Custer State Park. The large hairy beasts paid no mind to the cars that had stopped to let them pass. Photo by Jerry Nelson. I recently came home to find my wife staring out the window. “Look at Bella,” she whispered. Bella, our dog, was sitting on the deck and staring inten... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Family vacation a time-honored tradition
A successful family vacation should not end in gunplay, as shown in this example. Courtesy photo. This is the time of year when Americans traditionally embark on extended journeys with their loved ones. Some of these journeys are so long that by th... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: When you really relish radishes
Fresh radishes that have just been plucked from the garden are an important part of a wholesome breakfast, according to the author. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. Every morning at this time of year I go outside and dig in the dirt for my breakfast. This isn’t because we’re destitute. It’s because I have this sca... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Teach your children well
Every day, rain or shine or Shinola, I take our dog, Bella, out for a walk. It’s good for both of us, and as her doggy daddy, it’s my responsibility to ensure that she gets her minimum daily requirement of free-range fun. During our walks Bella chases rabbits that she never catches and digs for gophers she never finds. She seems to have learned that it’s not about the destination so much as it’s about the journey. As her dad, I will gladly take credit for her acquiring that nugget of wisdom.
Dear County Agent Guy: Celebrating Norway
I was recently asked to speak at a meeting of a secret society. I was surprised when they invited me as it’s widely known that I can’t keep a secret. ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Getting to know Grogu
The Mandalorian and Grogu grossed $103 million during the recent Memorial Day weekend. It was the first movie from the Star Wars universe in nearly seven years. Photo by Jerry Nelson. My first movie theater experience happened when my three older sisters let me tag along to see the flick “Yours, Mine and Ours.” Not the 2005 version ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: The first cut is the deepest
An old safety razor was found in a forgotten corner of an ancient medicine cabinet at Jerry’s parents’ farmhouse. The razor, which is probably as old as the author, still works perfectly. Photo by Jerry Nelson. The medicine cabinet was crusty and rusty, much like me. And like me, it’s old enough to be a museum piece. The cabinet was installed in my parents’ b... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Wacky Weather
It was so chilly during this spring’s first lawn mowing that the author had to wear winter clothing. But at least it wasn’t raining iguanas. Courtesy photo. “Unusual weather we’re having, ain’t it?” – the Cowardly Lion, upon awakening to a snowstorm after a poppy party in the docudrama “The Wizard of Oz.” ... Remember Me
Letter to the editor: Regarding Wickherst’s letter
To the editor: Regarding last week's letter (printed April 30) related to the 2026 S.D. House Bill 1212 to charge post abortive women with murder, Ms.... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Getting an equine education
A group of competitors line up their steeds for an awards ceremony during the South Dakota Spring Arabian Horse Show, held recently at the W.H. Lyons Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls. There were more than 90 horses at this year’s event. Photo by Julie Nelson. My wife and I recently went horsing around. And no, it didn’t involve traveling to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. We are much too cheap to make a ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Perplexing plumbing problems
After a long and arduous series of plumbing repairs, the water is finally behaving as it should in the Nelson family’s ancestral farmhouse. Photo by Jerry Nelson. The word “plumbing” comes from “plumbum,” the Latin word for lead. That’s a load of hooey. “Plumbum” clearly denotes someone who has a bum crack that ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Moon trek uplifting, inspiring
The success of the recent Artemis moon mission has caused many Americans to feel uplifted and inspired. Uplifted because we could all imagine leaving ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Digging for buried ‘treasure’
Dustin Nelson and his father, Les, recently dug for treasure at the Nelsons’ ancestral farmhouse. After much time and effort, they uncovered their prize which, in this case, was an old and corroded cast iron sewer pipe. Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson. My brother Les, his son Dustin, and I recently embarked on a treasure hunt. We didn’t have a map like the Count of Monte Cristo, so there was a certai... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Some things age better than others
Dear County Agent Guy: Some things age better than others By Jerry Nelson - March 30, 2026 in Column, Featured Reading Time: 4 minutes
Dear County Agent Guy: The secret to a long marriage
My wife and I recently marked our 45th wedding anniversary. This is a mathematical impossibility, as I feel as though I’m not a day over 40. But maybe that’s just my intractable immaturity talking. My wife was 22 and I was 23 when we were wed. Knowing what we know now, we know that we were too young to know what we didn’t know. Plus, it means that we’ve been married for two-thirds of our lives. Will that fraction keep creeping upward until it reaches 100 percent? Time will tell.
Dear County Agent Guy: Have anvil, will forge
None of this would have happened were it not for cable TV. Like many guys, I’m a skilled – one might even say professional – channel surfer. I’m not i... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Friends may pass, but memories live on
My wife and I recently received the sad news that our friend Dave Vincent has passed away. Dave was one of the most interesting people we’ve ever met.... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: A dairy farming primer
A reader recently emailed me, saying that they were distressed about how modern dairies operate. I replied with some insights gleaned from my six deca... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Photos help preserve the past
Leonard and Anna Nelson’s children include, back row, from left, Jane, Janet, Diann, Jerry, and Kevin. Standing in the front row are LaDonna, Kathy, and Les. Photo was taken in the spring of 1968. Courtesy photo. I have been doing a bit of amateur archeology lately, digging deep, excavating through layers of an all-but-forgotten past. This process is sometimes ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Winter sports not for everyone
The Winter Olympics have arrived, that quadrennial phenomenon that should be called the “It’s Cold Enough Out There to Freeze the Whiskers Off a Polar... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Norwegian, with a pinch of Swede
Brothers Oluf and Emil Hammer had their picture taken at a photography studio shortly after arriving in America in 1914. Both men eventually became successful farmers and had large families. The results of a recent genetic test shook me to the core. It seems that I’m not who I thought I was. Some years ago, I sent a spit sample to 23andMe.... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Oyster stew: A Christmas tradition
A bowl of properly prepared oyster stew is ready to be enjoyed at the Nelson home. Food can evoke epicurean memories, especially at this time of year. Photo by Jerry Nelson. Food is many things: flavors, textures, smells, an excuse to use your fingers to clean a bowl that was used to mix chocolate cake batter. But food is ... Remember Me
Dear County Agent Guy: Health insurance, a scary thing
A patron at a local barbershop obviously had to wait much too long to receive an urgently needed haircut. Photo by Jerry Nelson. It’s a scary time of year. That peculiar holiday called Halloween is upon us, the only occasion wherein we encourage our children to take candy from s... Remember Me
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jerry
Contact Jerry, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack