BLOOMINGTON — Following the Sept. 24 resignation of Philip Nelson as Illinois Director of Agriculture, farmers and members of organizations who worked with him wished him well and hope that another farmer will fill the position.
The governor’s office hasn’t release details about the reason for Nelson’s resignation and that of State Fair Director Patrick Buchen, who resigned on the same day.
“I appreciate Director Nelson’s commitment to agriculture and his service to the people of Illinois," Governor Bruce Rauner said when he accepted the resignations. “I wish him all the best.”
Rauner attended the Midwest Inland Port Market Launch in Decatur Sept. 25, but was not available to answer questions from the media.
Nelson, who grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa and has a cow-calf operation on his Seneca farm, previously was president of the Illinois Farm Bureau.
The group was one of the first to respond to the resignation announcement on Sept. 24.
“We really appreciate the work Philip did as Director of Agriculture,” said Richard Guebert Jr., IFB president. “He put his heart and soul into the position. He wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions to put the Illinois Department of Agriculture in a position to be successful, even during these difficult financial times.”
Illinois Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. also wished Nelson well.
“We owe him our thanks for his service to the industry in this position and in the many others he’s held,” Hartman said. “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.”
Nelson is expected to remain with the Agriculture Department for the next 30 days to help with the transition. Rauner appointed Goetsh, current Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff, as acting ag director.
Rauner had made a big deal of his appointment of Nelson in January, criticizing Nelson’s predecessor Bob Flider, a former state lawmaker, for not being a farmer. He said the department under former Gov. Pat Quinn was being run by “folks that generally don't have much expertise.”
No replacement for state fair director has been named.
Buchen, a professional event planner from a Western Illinois farm who showed livestock at the Illinois State Fair, was named director of the two state fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin in May.
He was previously executive director of the Indiana State Fair and executive director of the Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders Association.