Laker Nation News

Lake Land College alumna Layna Bond recently accepted a position as location manager and livestock specialist at Hueber Feed, LLC in Roanoke. Bond also recently took on the role of president for the Illinois Club Pig Association. In this role, she is responsible for organizing fundraisers, working hand in hand with junior members and board members and organizing all ICPA jackpot shows.

“In a life full of uncertainty, I believe everything happens at the perfect time, and for me this position checked all the boxes I wanted in a dream job,” Bond said. “Usually your first job out of college isn’t your dream job, but I am very fortunate with the position I hold now.”

As a fourth-generation agriculturist from Galatia, Bond has a diverse livestock operation background primarily focused on beef cattle and show pigs.

Bond grew up showing cattle nationwide and pigs competitively at the state level. While attending Lake Land College, Bond was a member of the livestock judging team and a student ambassador.

After completing an associate degree at Lake Land, Bond earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of the 2017 National Champion Livestock Judging Team and the 2017 Reserve Champion National Meat Evaluation Team.

Bond had several internships in the livestock industry, some of which included the National Junior Swine Association, National Western Stock Show, Oklahoma Youth Expo, Illinois Bred and the American Chianina Association.

Currently finishing a master’s degree in animal science at Kansas State University, Bond said she knew she would face challenges as a woman in agriculture but that women also play a vital role for the industry to succeed.

“All of us involved in agriculture realize it takes a team to be successful, and that is what I love the most,” Bond said. “Both women and men have important parts in our industry to continue the success.”

Having recently had the opportunity to judge swine showmanship at the Kansas State Fair, Bond said it was not only an experience that she will never forget and will forever be thankful for, but she also discovered she was the first female to judge at the Kansas State Fair.

“To me that was incredible,” Bond said. “Being a strong-willed female in agriculture has been challenging, but it has most certainly prepared me for a position like this. If we want to see good in the industry we have to be the good. The future generation is counting on us to be the role models we wanted to see at their age.”

In attributing her success, Bond said no matter where she goes Lake Land College will always hold a special place in her heart.

“I remember hearing my aunts talk about their experience at Lake Land and knowing it was a place I would call my home one day,” Bond said. “Lake Land cares about you and gives you a home away from home. The transition from a small high school to Lake Land was a breeze for me. I felt that my teachers cared about my success in school and my involvement in other school activities.”

Bond said she feels the most important advice for anyone is to be the role model one wanted as a child.

“It costs nothing to be kind and to be a good friend,” Bond said. “Everything happens for a reason, and you just have to trust the process. Never give up because you are worried about failing.”

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