Posted on August 28, 2017 at 8:24 AM by Emily Saveraid
People may know Jerry Perkins best for his 40 year journalism career covering farm and agribusiness news, both domestically and internationally. Those in 4-H know him best for his advocacy and support of Iowa 4-H’ers attending National 4-H Conference and his reporting of 4-H shows and activities at the Iowa State Fair.
Jerry started his journalism career with a local Iowa newspaper and then began working for the Des Moines Register covering local government and agribusiness. After being with the Register for ten years, Jerry became the public affairs director of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. During that time, he also spent seven months in Russia managing the Russian-American Agribusiness Center assisting Russian agriculture to become more market-oriented.
Jerry returned as Farm Editor for the Des Moines Register. After an early retirement from the paper, he has been the editor of BioFuels Journal, a quarterly magazine, covering ethanol and advanced biofuels industries.
The Des Moines Register was a long time sponsor of the Iowa youth delegation to participate in National 4-H Conference. The continued sponsorship of that program was due in part to Jerry’s advocacy to the Register administration to keep the sponsorship going. Jerry helped coordinate and host a send-off luncheon for the youth delegates and their parents at the Register. He saw it as an opportunity to recognize the important contribution the Iowa 4-H’ers could make to the rest of the nation through the conference experience. While at the luncheon, the youth would have an opportunity to tour the facility and interact with Register editors and reporters. For several years Jerry was on the interview committee to select the National 4-H Conference youth delegates. He was impressed by the youth and enjoyed the opportunity to interview and hear their 4-H stories. Jerry was also frequently engaged with 4-Her’s as he reported on 4-H participation in Iowa State Fair livestock shows.
Jerry and his wife, Peggy, live In Des Moines, IA and have three grown sons and one granddaughter.
Categories: 2017, State Recognition
