Jerry is co-owner of Agrivest, Inc., Springfield, IL. This farm management and real estate sales company manages farmland all over central Illinois. Growing up in Lee County on a grain and livestock farm, Jerry raised and showed Angus cattle, show steers, and Quarter horses and was a 10 year 4-H member. His BS and MS Animal Science degrees from the U of IL led him into the Extension Service as an Ag 4-H Advisor and later as a Regional Livestock Specialist. He joined the IL Pork Producers as Executive Vice-President before moving to the farm management business with First National Bank of Springfield’s Trust Department.
Jerry was also a 23 year 4-H leader and has received the Friend of IL 4-H Award. He volunteers as President of Extension Partners, a volunteer group supporting IL Extension. He is active in many organizations and enjoys singing, gardening and raising rabbits. Rabbits began as a 4-H project for his children. All three are 10 year 4-H members and have exhibited 4 Champion Pens at the IL State Fair. Jerry and his wife, Jill, are both alums of U of IL.