Two Illinois farmers have been tapped by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to serve in key Illinois ag leadership positions, as head of the Illinois Farm Service Agency and Rural Development. Both have served in their respective capacities before, under the George W. Bush administration.

Doug Wilson has been appointed as head of Rural Development for Illinois. He fills a position last held by Colleen Callahan, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama and served from 2009-16.

Bill Graff has been appointed as head of Illinois FSA, and fills a position last held by Scherrie Giamanco, who also served from 2009-16 under Obama.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert is positive about the prior experience of both men. “We look forward to working with Bill Graff and Doug Wilson in their respective positions. Both have prior experience in this position, and I anticipate they will be able to hit the ground running,” he says.

Perdue announced the appointments late Friday, and says Graff will help implement USDA policies in planning, organizing and administering FSA programs, and will be responsible for running the day-to-day activities of the state FSA office. Wilson’s role will be similar, and he’s slated with helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.

Related:Perdue announces FSA, Rural Development state directors

“These state directors will help ensure that USDA is offering the best customer service to our farmers, ranchers, foresters and agricultural producers across the country,” Perdue said. “FSA and RD both play a critical role in helping the people of agriculture, and are able to connect with people in their home states. They are the initial points of contact for millions of our USDA customers. Our goal is to help rural America prosper, and these state leaders will be of great assistance in that task.”

Wilson is a third-generation farmer near Gridley. He served as Illinois state director for Rural Development from 2001-09 under George W. Bush. He’s also served on the board of the National Corn Growers Association and as president of IL Corn, and in a variety of leadership roles throughout agricultural, community and not-for-profit organizations.

Graff is a farmer and real estate broker near Middletown. He also previously served as Illinois state director for the Farm Service Agency from 2001-09. Graff serves on the board of the Illinois Beef Association and the Taloma Farmers Grain Cooperative, and is a past-president of the Illinois State University Agricultural Alumni Association.