Illinois Field & Bean connected with some of our state’s agricultural organizations to find out who are the current Illinois farmers elected to serve and lead their boards.

 

Bryan Severs, Chairman, Illinois Soybean Association
Term: July 2026-July 2027 (In 2^nd term)

Bryan Severs resides in Vermillion County with his wife, where they raise corn, soybeans, and cattle alongside their two sons. In addition to serving as Chairman of Illinois Soybean Association, Bryan is also on the Board of Directors of the American Soybean Association.

A third-generation farmer, Bryan graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Animal Science and has previously served as president of his local school board.

 

Mark Bunselmeyer, President, IL Corn Growers Association
Term: Nov. 2025-Nov. 2026

Mark Bunselmeyer raises corn and soybeans in Macon County with his father and brother-in-law. He and his wife, Mindy, have two children.

Mark earned a degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois and then went on to build a renewed agriculture education program and FFA Chapter at Maroa-Forsyth High School before leaving to farm full-time in 2004.

Mark has been farming in some capacity since the 1990s, including growing horseradish as a specialty crop from 1991-2008.

Tim Thompson, Chairman, IL Corn Marketing Board
Term: Aug. 2025-Aug. 2026

Tim Thompson farms corn and soybeans in Morgan County with his wife Tami where they also raised two children Timothy Jr and Marleigh. On his farm he incorporates minimal and no-till conservation practices. In addition to farming, he is a Valent USA Regional Sales Manager for Northeast U.S.

In his free time, he trains Labrador Retrievers and competes in the American Kennel Club Performance Field Trial.

Tracy Heuerman, President, Illinois Wheat Association
Term: Jan. 2026-Jan. 2027

Tracy Heuerman became president of the Illinois Wheat Association after serving on the board for many years as both a farmer and an industry professional. She farms with her dad and brother in Effingham and Clay counties, where they grow corn, soybeans and wheat.

Tracy started farming some of her own land in 2016 and has been employed with the FS Growmark system since 2010. Her current role is a Field Sales Agronomist in the Seed division covering 11 counties in the South-Central part of the state. Tracy earned a master’s degree in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

 

Philip Nelson, President, Illinois Farm Bureau
Term: Dec. 2025-Dec. 2027

Philip Nelson and his wife, Carmen, operate a fourth-generation grain and livestock farm near Seneca, growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa and running a cow-calf operation. They have sons, Kendall and Kyle, and a daughter, Rachel.

Philip also serves as President of COUNTRY Financial, in addition to serving as Chairman of the Illinois Agricultural Association Foundation Board of Trustees.

He previously served as Illinois Farm Bureau President from 2003-2013; Illinois Soybean President from 1989-1991; LaSalle County Farm Bureau President from 1993-1999 and American Soybean Association President from 1993-1994, in addition to other leadership roles.

Kati Brown, President, Illinois Pork Producers Association
Term: Feb. 2026-Feb. 2027

Katie Brown is a fifth-generation hog farmer, currently is a wean-to- finish contract grower in Christian County. Katie and her husband Ethan have two sons, Andrew and Tyler. She is also currently an Associate Director of Research and Development at the Maschhoffs.

Katie serves as the Treasurer of the Parents in Education Committee at her children’s school and takes an active role in her county’s Farm Bureau Young Leaders program. Katie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from the University of Illinois.

  

Shannon Welsh, President, Illinois Beef Association
Term: June 2026-June 2027 (In 2^nd term)

Shannon Welsh is a beef producer and grain farmer based in McDonough County. Alongside his family, Shannon raises Simmental, Angus, Red Angus and other commercial breeds to sell as show cattle, and for embryo transfers and custom transfers. On the row-crop side, he raises corn, soybeans, cover crops and hay.

Shannon and his wife, Renee, have three grown children who are all still involved in the agriculture industry.

Don Guinnip, Chairman, Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council
Term: Dec. 2025-Dec. 2026

Don Guinnip farms in Clark County where he grows corn, soybeans, wheat and milo and has a cow-calf operation. He is married to Susan, who is a retired Extension Agent, and they have two kids Molly and Andy and one grandchild.

Don graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a degree in Agriculture Education. After university, he taught high school before deciding to return home to start farming after teaching.

Don also serves as an Illinois Corn Growers Association District 12 Director, and locally serves on the Clark County Board, Clark County Farm Bureau Board, and Clark County Republicans, among involvement in other organizations.