Pervis Ellis has spent a lifetime cultivating not just crops but also meaningful relationships and a strong sense of community. At 64, he and his wife, Wendy, whom he met in high school, have built a family-centered life rooted in faith and service. Together, they’ve raised three daughters, doted on six grandchildren, and dedicated themselves to mentoring others as 4-H leaders, church camp volunteers, and Sunday School teachers.

As the youngest of five brothers, Pervis co-manages Ellis Brothers Farms with his brother Gary in Saline County, Illinois. The farm, established after their family relocated from Bell City, Missouri, in 1965, features challenging but rewarding bottom-ground acres of gumbo soil. Specializing in white corn, soybeans, and wheat, the farm also produces seed crops and has embraced modern drainage solutions to optimize their unique land.

In 2024, Pervis celebrated the addition of his fifth granddaughter and was honored to join the Illinois Corn Growers Board, stepping into a leadership role encouraged by his good friend Joe Murphy. With decades of agricultural experience and a deep commitment to family and community, Pervis continues to make a lasting impact on the farming world.