Farm Bureau Replaces President with Former Ag Director
Incoming Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson addresses delegates at the IFB Annual Meeting in Chicago. (Photo: FarmWeek)
After a tumultuous 18 months for the state’s largest farm organization, members of the Illinois Farm Bureau Monday ousted the group’s president and replaced him with a former Farm Bureau president.
Brian Duncan of Ogle County lost his bid for re-election after the American Farm Bureau Federation expelled IFB from membership in the national organization that has led to a court fight between the state and national organizations.
Former IFB President Philp Nelson of LaSalle County, who led the organization from 2003-2013, mounted a challenge to Duncan, leading to the change at the Farm Bureau’s annual meeting in Chicago.
“I’m asking you to be courageous and be that thermostat. As we plot the future of this organization together, we need to unify this organization together,” Nelson said, telling delegates following the election results that he’s looking forward to getting to work, according to FarmWeek.
Nelson was appointed Director of Agriculture under former Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2015, and served in the role for just nine months. Reports at the time alleged Nelson was fired by Rauner, but no official reason for his departure was ever given.
