Princeton, IL (October 21, 2025) First Mid Ag Services, a division of First Mid Wealth Management, announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire Ray Farm Management Services, Inc., based in Princeton, Illinois. The transaction is expected to close on December 30, 2025.
Ray Farm Management Services, founded by Douglas and Sue Ray, has been serving farm owners throughout north central Illinois and beyond for more than 40 years. As part of the agreement, Doug Ray will join First Mid Ag Services as Vice President and remain with the company through early 2027 to continue serving clients during the transition.
“It has been a privilege to serve our farm management clients for more than four decades,” said Doug Ray. “Over the years, we’ve had the honor of working with many long-term clients, including second- and third-generation landowners. The relationships and trusted reputation we’ve built are very important to Sue and me. We look forward to working alongside First Mid Ag Services to ensure continuity for our valued clients, and we’re confident their farmland investments will be well supported for the future with the additional resources and expertise the company provides.”
First Mid Ag Services is one of the largest professional farm management and real estate firms in the Midwest, offering comprehensive solutions to landowners.
“We are honored to welcome Doug, Sue, and their clients to First Mid Ag Services,” said Brian Thompson, President of First Mid Ag Services. “Ray Farm Management Services has earned the trust of area farmland owners through years of outstanding service and commitment. We are dedicated to continuing the high-quality, personalized service they value, along with expanded opportunities and solutions for future success.”
Brad Beesley, CEO of First Mid Wealth Management, added, “This acquisition represents an important step in our continued growth within the agricultural services sector. The addition of Ray Farm Management Services strengthens our ability to serve farmland owners across Illinois and the Midwest with trusted expertise and a deep understanding of agricultural markets.”
With this acquisition, First Mid Ag Services continues its mission of helping landowners preserve and grow the value of their farmland investments. The company manages, brokers, and values Midwest farmland and provides agricultural consultation services, primarily in Illinois and surrounding states. With six regional offices in Bloomington (Principal Real Estate Office), Decatur, Kankakee, Mattoon, Peoria, and Springfield, the team includes 25 farm managers/Illinois licensed real estate brokers who combine their unique skill sets to represent the absentee farmland owners they serve.
##
About First Mid Bancshares, Inc.: First Mid Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A., First Mid Insurance Group, and First Mid Wealth Management Company. First Mid is a $7.7
billion community-focused organization that provides financial services including banking, insurance, wealth management, brokerage, and ag services through a network of locations in Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin, and a loan production office in Indiana. Together, our First Mid team takes great pride in providing solutions and services to our customers and communities and has done so since 1865. This year, we proudly celebrate our 160th anniversary, marking a long history of dedication and service. More information about the Company is available on our website at www.firstmid.com. Our stock is traded in The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FMBH”. Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender.
Investments and Insurance Products: Not a Deposit | Not Guaranteed by the Bank or its Affiliates | Not FDIC Insured | Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency | May Go Down in Value.