Specialty Growers

Welcome to the ISGA

The Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) was formed in 1989 to improve the coordination and cooperation among our individual associations.

ISGA is an umbrella organization for the following affiliated associations:

• Illinois Herb Association
• Illinois Irrigation Association
• Illinois State Horticultural Society
• Illinois Vegetable Growers Association

History:

The purpose of ISGA is the promotion and development of the Illinois specialty crop industry.

Originally called the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Foundation, the Illinois Specialty Growers Association changed its name to reflect changes in the marketplace.  The name acknowledges the importance of a diverse number of crops commercially produced in Illinois.  

Contact Us:  Diane Handley, DHandley@ilfb.org or 309-557-3662.
                     Charlene Blary, CBlary@ilfb.org or 309-557-2107. 

ISGA Facebook page! Check it out at: Facebook.com/ILSpecialty

ISGA Accomplishments - Click here to see what has been accomplished in 2013 with the assistance of your membership dues.

Download ISGA Membership - Click to see a membership application. 

ISGA Newsletter Advertising
ISGA publishes a newsletter three times a year with timely information pertaining to our association in general as well as each of the four affiliated associations.  If you would like to consider advertising in our publication, please e-mail Charlene at cblary@ilfb.org for a sample newsletter and a copy of the Newsletter Advertising Package. 

ISGA Members Travel to DC to Promote Immigration Reform

On Tuesday, April 23, three ISGA members traveled to Washington, DC to meet with legislators regarding proposed immigration reform bills in the Senate and the House.  Adam Nielsen, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation, led a group of five farmers on a two-day trip to Washington DC to meet with Senator and House members and staff.  ISGA members who participated in this IFB-led “Strike Team” effort included Chris Eckert, Eckert’s Orchard; Sarah Frey-Talley, Frey Produce; and Don Ahrens, Twin Garden Farms.  The group also included a dairy producer and livestock producer.  Over the course of the two-day meeting, the group met with various House and Senate Representatives and/or their Aides as well as the Chief Counsel of the US House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.  Mike Orso, IFB Director of News & Communications, interviewed Chris, Don, and Sarah.  Their thoughts are captured in this audio clip.

Immigration Interviews April 2013

 

Download Cottage Food Operations:  Technical Information Bulletin #44

Download Illinois Cottage Food Regulations:  Top Questions and Answers

Download Guide to Illinois Laws Governing Direct Farm Marketing

Download The Role of Local Food Systems in U.S. Farm Policy

Illinois Ag Invest Program (low-interest loans)  The Ag Invest program makes loans more affordable for farmers and agricultural professionals to plant and harvest crops, explore opportunities in agribusiness and rebound from difficult economic times.

 

USDA Farm Service Agency Announces Tree Assistance Program Sign-up

Orchardists and nursery tree growers who experienced losses from natural disasters that occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011, can sign up for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). TAP was authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 as a permanent disaster program. TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.  To qualify for TAP, fruit growers must suffer a qualifying tree, bush or vine loss in excess of 15 percent mortality from an eligible natural disaster. The eligible trees, bushes or vines must have been owned when the natural disaster occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted.  Eligible tree types include trees, bushes or vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes. Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees that are produced for commercial sale. Trees used for pulp or timber are ineligible.  If the TAP application is approved, the eligible trees, bushes and vines must be replaced within 12 months from the date the application is approved. The cumulative total quantity of acres planted to trees, bushes or vines for which a producer can receive TAP payments cannot exceed 500 acres annually. If physical evidence of the lost trees, bushes, or vines no longer exists, the owner must provide documentation to determine the eligible trees, bushes, or vines existed and were lost on each stand because of the approved disaster condition. Examples of documentation can include: • Receipts for the original purchase of the eligible trees, bushes, or vines where TAP is requested, • Documentation of labor and equipment used to plant or remove the eligible trees, bushes, or vines that were lost, • Chemical, fertilizer, or other related receipts to substantiate the existence of the eligible trees, bushes, or vines. • RMA appraisal worksheet may be used by COC to substantiate applicant’s certification of trees lost. For more information about TAP, click here.

Increase Your Farmers Market Sales In A SNAP

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP — could be an untapped marketing opportunity for your produce. SNAP, or as it was formerly known, the food stamp program, helps get more fresh produce into the diets of consumers who may not have access to the fruits and vegetables their families need. By participating in the program, growers who sell at farmers markets, or even through their own retail markets, not only get access to this large segment of consumers, but also may be able to take advantage of incentive programs that can double your sales to SNAP recipients. Download SNAP article

Growing a New Generation of Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Application

Aspiring farmers, new growers with less than 5 years' experience, and commodity farmers interested in diversifying to include fruit or vegetable production are invited to apply for our year-long training program.  In the fall of 2012, the University of Illinois began the first year of a 3-year project funded by the USDA NIFA's Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program to increase the number of commercial fruit and vegetable farmers in Illinois. We will provide year-long programs of classroom and hands-on in-field instruction on essential skills and information so that new growers have the knowledge to be successful fruit or vegetable farmers. High school and community college agriculture teachers also are invited to apply. There is no registration fee for participants who complete this program.  For more information on this program, go to:  http://www.newillinoisfarmers.org/new_generation_app.php.

Worker Protection Standards:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the proposed revisions to the agricultural Worker Protection Standard for an additional 60 days, until August 18, 2014, in response to requests from growers, industry, farmworker advocates and states for additional time to provide input. The proposed changes provide significant improvements to worker training regarding the safe use of pesticides, including how to prevent and effectively treat pesticide exposure. Increased training from every five years to every year and signage would help farmworkers protect themselves and their families from pesticide exposure. Workers and others near treated fields would be better protected from pesticide overspray and fumes. In addition, the EPA has proposed that children under 16 be legally barred from handling all pesticides. These revisions protect workers while ensuring agricultural productivity and preserving the traditions of and exemptions for family members working on family farms. To learn more or make comments: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/safety/workers/proposed/index.html. 

New Intensive Training Program for Farmers

The Land Connection is pleased to announce a new series of farmer training intensives that will delve deep into agricultural topics that are critical to entrepreneurial farmers. These intensives will typically span three days and be composed of farm tours, hands-on experience, and presentations from highly knowledgeable speakers.  The first intensive will be held June 23-25.  Click here for more information.

ISGA Farmers Market Tent at the Illinois State Fair

The Illinois Specialty Growers Association will be sponsoring the 14th Farmers’ Market at the Illinois State Fair (August 7-17).  The farmers’ market will actually be in the same tent as the Illinois Department of Agriculture in the Heartland area of the fairgrounds.  Hours are 10:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.  We will be selling sweet corn, apple cider slush, peaches, cantaloupe, watermelon, popcorn, and fresh garden salads.  Plan to stop by the tent for the freshest food at the state fair!  If you are interested in working at the tent selling produce one of the days, you will receive complimentary parking and gate passes.  Contact Diane at dhandley@ilfb.org or 309-557-2107 if interested.  We need help promoting YOUR industry!

2013/2014 Value-Added Producer Grant Funding Cycle

USDA published the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) in the 11/25/13 Federal Register inviting VAPG applications. Approximately $10.5 million is available for this nationally competitive program from Fiscal Year 2013 rollover funds.  There is also the potential for additional VAPG dollars for this funding cycle from Fiscal Year 2014.  For more information, click 2013-2014 Value-Added Producer Grant Funding Cycle.

Illinois NRCS Announces Upcoming EQIP Application Dates

Illinois State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Ivan Dozier announced that November 15, 2013 will be the first of four Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) application “cut-off" or submission deadline dates.  “This will be the first sign-up opportunity for Fiscal Year 2014,” Dozier explains, “I encourage all Illinois producers with resource concerns to submit their paperwork and get their projects in early.”  Click here for more information.

Food Safety Training Webinar

A training webinar for farmers market managers to learn about the changes to the Illinois Department of Public Health Technical Information Bulletin #30 - Sanitation Guidelines for Farmers Markets was held on Monday, June 17, 2013.  Patricia Welch, Food Program Manager, Illinois Department of Public Health provided an update of these changes.  The TIB #30 is available below, and you can listen to this 37-minute webinar at the following link:  http://media.itcs.illinois.edu/telenet/20130617/84230.html

Download Sanitation Guildlines for Farmers Markets: Technical Information Bulletin #30

Hazard Communication Standard Final Rule

New changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard are bringing the United States into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).  The Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the ‘right to know,' but the new Globally Harmonized System gives workers the ‘right to understand.'  Click here for the entire Rule.