Mark Wilson was raised on a grain and livestock farm near Toulon, Illinois. He graduated from Toulon High School in 1980 and continued his education at Iowa State University to graduate in 1984. There, he became a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

Mark then worked the next four years for the Farm Progress Show and served as Show Manager. He returned to the farm in 1988. He worked with his father until his dad retired in 1999. On the farm he raises corn and soybeans. He also raises 6,000 head of hogs from wean to finish, and bottle feeds and raises a few steers every year.

Mark has been active on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board serving as the Exports Committee Chair, Board Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chair. Mark always says, “We need to promote our own product no one else is going to do it for us.”

He also is active on the U.S. Grains Council.  He served as the Innovation and Sustainability Advisory Team Lead, Asia team lead and is currently the Corn Sector Representative for the USGC Board of Directors. He enjoys building relationships with other farmers and customers from around the world.

He is currently serving as President for the Toulon Public Library District, President of the Elmira Mutual Insurance Board and serves on the Walk on Water Ministry Board. Mark is also very active at the Toulon United Methodist Church. He serves as the Men’s Ministry leader, Trustee and a Local Lay Speaker.

Mark married his wife, Cristin, in 1988, and they have three children.