Cattle producer Kirk Olson of North Platte filed with the Secretary of State’s office for subdivision 4 seat on the Nebraska Public Power District.

Olson is the president and general manager of Olson Farms, Inc., headquartered between North Platte and Hershey, and he is a founding member in the Sustainable Beef packing plant.

Subdivision 4 includes Lincoln, Hayes, Frontier, Gosper, and Red Willow counties.

Olson is the incumbent. He was appointed to the board in August 2024 by Gov. Jim Pillen to fill a vacancy.

“As a fourth-generation agricultural producer, I understand that affordability and reliability are the backbone of Nebraska’s economy,” Olson said in announcing his campaign. “I am committed to defending our baseload generation resources, specifically the Gerald Gentleman Station, to ensure our lights stay on and rates remain low for our families and businesses.”

Olson brings four decades of business leadership and agricultural expertise to the race. He has been involved in Olson Farms, Inc. for 40 years. Based in the North Platte and Hershey area, Olson Farms has feedlots, row crop farms and develops dairy heifers.

Olson has served on the Nebraskaland Days board of directors and presided over the Hershey Lions Club. He is the vice-president on the board of directors of the International Port of the Plains. Furthermore, Gov. Pillen selected Olson as a membership consultant for the livestock industry roundtable to help shape agricultural policy and support family-owned ranches.

Olson strongly supports the Gerald Gentleman Station near Sutherland, Nebraska’s largest coal-fired power plant. He advocates for its continued operation as a critical asset for grid stability.

Olson and wife Tracy have been married for 39 years. They have three daughters and six grandchildren, all of whom are involved in agriculture.

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