Thomas M. Courson, owner, brings over 25 years of professional farm management and agribusiness experience to Field Level Agriculture, Inc. Tom grew up in Allerton, in east central Illinois, where his family owned and operated a Case International dealership. Working for the family business, local farmers, and seed companies in the summers, Tom’s passion for agriculture set his path toward a career in agribusiness. In 1995, Tom graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics.
Tom started his career as a farm manager with Heartland Ag Group in Forsyth before moving to the seed industry in 1997. He spent nine years as the District Sales Manager for Stine Seed Company managing $2.3 million in sales over five counties in central Illinois. During that time, Tom gained valuable experience in agronomy and made many good contacts with farmers throughout central Illinois.
In 2008, Tom joined Busey Bank as a farm manager becoming Senior Vice President of Busey Ag Services in 2016. As Senior Vice President, Tom was the head of the ag services at the Decatur location managing a staff of six employees. Tom managed over $200 million in farmland assets during his time with Busey.
Tom is a licensed Illinois Real Estate Broker and member of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers where he has served on various committees and groups.
Tom and his wife Julie have two children and live outside of Dalton City, Illinois. The Coursons spend their time watching their children play sports and volunteering for community organizations. Julie is a reading teacher for the Mt. Zion School District.
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S., Ag Economics, 1995
Activities & Affiliations
Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers; Scholarship Chairman, Land Values Committee
Mt. Zion CEO Program, Vice President
Illinois Soybean Association, Soy Leader Program
Mt. Zion Youth Baseball and Softball, Member/Coach
Mt. Zion Youth Basketball, Member/Coach, 2010-2018
Mt. Zion Police Pension Board, 2012-2018