Illinois Corn Growers Association President Ken Hartman, Jr, a family farmer from Waterloo, IL, released the following statement in response to Philip Nelson’s resignation as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“Illinois Corn Growers Association wishes outgoing Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson well as he leaves the Department. We owe him our thanks for his service to the industry in this position and in the many others he’s held. Having a farmer at the helm of the Ag Department was a refreshing change and we hope Governor Rauner will consider another farmer as he seeks his next appointment for the position. In the meantime, we’ve no doubt that Warren Goetsch will do a great job as interim Director, putting his years of experience in Springfield to work.”