J. Roger Cooper. Mr. Cooper, a sixth generation farmer from Williamsville, Illinois, began farming with his father in 1978 and continues farming today with 2,013 acres. He and his brother-in-law began the Cooper-Foran Partnership in 1982 utilizing numerous “farm-friendly” cultural practices in their production of corn, specialty corn, soybeans, seed beans and preview plots. The partnership also maintains two seed dealerships. He is a 1969 graduate of Williamsville High School and a 1974 graduate of Western Illinois University with a B.S. in Industrial Education. He is a former educator at the junior and senior high school levels. He is a lifelong member of the Farm Bureau and is a former member of the Sangamon County Young Farmer’s Committee, where he was a two-time District Discussion Meet winner. He is a 1983 graduate of ALOT and has served on the Sangamon County Farm Bureau Board. He was a co-founder of the Sangamo Tillage Busters Club. He served 12 years on the Williamsville Farmers Co-op Board. He is a former FHA Committeeman, Sangamon County Extension Council member, church trustee and school advisory committee member. He currently serves as chairman of the Williamsville Fire Protection District and is a member of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau PIC Committee and the Land of Lincoln Agriculture Coalition. He holds stock in several agricultural service and grain cooperatives. He is an owner of or recipient of royalties on several coal leases.