Meet Pervis Ellis: New IL Corn Board Director

IL Corn is thrilled to welcome Pervis Ellis (Ellis) as a new board member, representing District 15 and the farmers of Southern Illinois. With his decades of experience, deep community ties, and commitment to agriculture, Ellis brings a vital perspective to our efforts. His leadership will help amplify the voices of farmers in Springfield and Washington, D.C., ensuring their needs and priorities remain at the forefront of policy discussions. We look forward to the impact Pervis will make in advocating for a stronger future for Illinois agriculture.

Ellis, a lifelong farmer and community leader from Saline County, Illinois, has spent decades cultivating crops and connections. Alongside his wife, Wendy, whom he met in high school, Pervis has raised three daughters, welcomed six grandchildren, and dedicated time to mentoring as 4-H leaders, church camp volunteers, and Sunday School teachers.

Here's some fun Q and A to get to know Pervis, the new District 15 IL Corn Growers Assocaition board directors:

Q: Tell us about your farm

A: Our farm is located in Saline County near Harrisburg, IL Our family moved from Bell City, MO-near Sikeston, to our present location in 1965. A cotton wagon was my day care center in the Fall. As co-manager of Ellis Brothers Farms with my brother Gary, we grow white corn, soybeans, and wheat on challenging gumbo soil, embracing innovative solutions like drainage tile to improve our land.

Q: What would your spirit animal be and why

A: I would love to be our farm dog. Doesn't have a care in the world, especially eating, but is always expecting the head and ears to be rubbed.

Q: What are you thankful for in 2024?

A: Highlights of 2024 that we added another grandaugter(#5) and being asked by a good friend, Joe Murphy, to replace him on the IL Corn Growers Associationi Board.