Bernt Nelson

Economist

berntn@fb.org

Bernt Nelson joined the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2022 as an economist. His work focuses on livestock markets, rural development, finance and agricultural research, with additional expertise in emerging markets, risk management, broadband and precision agriculture.

Raised on a family farm in North Dakota, Bernt remains closely connected to production agriculture, including cattle and row crops. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University, where he was also a rodeo team bareback rider.

Before joining AFBF, he spent more than five years as a livestock Extension economist with Clemson University, working across the Southeast.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Livestock Markets
  • Rural Telecommunications and Broadband
  • Rural Economic Development Issues
  • Ag Research
  • Ag Data
  • Precision Agriculture