Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner late Friday announced the appointment of life-long farmer and Illinois State Representative Raymond Poe, as the Director of the Department of Agriculture.

Rauner says that Poe’s experience as a legislator, as a businessman and as a farmer makes him the ideal choice to lead the agency.

Poe has for the past 20 years been a member of the General Assembly. He’s a member of the Agriculture & Conservation; Appropriations-Higher Education; Personnel & Pensions; and Business Occupational Licenses committees, and been the Republican Spokesperson on those committees. He has farmed in Sangamon County his entire life.

The new Illinois Ag Director previously served on the Williamsville School Board, where he was president for three years. He is also the former president of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau and the former president of the Lincoln Land Farm Supply. Poe lives in rural Springfield.

illinoisfarmradio.com local farm broadcaster Jared White (right) interviews Nancy Kavazanjian, chair of the Farmers and Ranchers and a Wisconsin farmer. Photo courtesy Stu Ellis.

Hear more of Jared's interviews from the NAFB convention, on upcoming Morning and Noon Farm Shows on WHOW THE BIG 1520 AM/92.3 FM streamed at illinoisfarmradio.com; and NEWSTALK WTIM THE BIG 870 AM across Central Illinois, 96.3 FM in Christian County, 94.7 FM in Shelby County, and streamed at illinoisfarmradio.com!