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 2014 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. 

 

 

Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Farm Succession Workshop – March 26, 2015

The Illinois Specialty Growers, Illinois Farm Bureau, and Illinois Milk Producers will be hosting a one-day workshop on the ACA and Farm Succession.  There is no fee to attend but registration is required no later than March 20, 2015.  The meeting will be held at the Illinois Farm Bureau building in Bloomington.   Click here for the detailed flyer.  Click here to register:  https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=b6ZJwMko-ZJA4j2o7Fq-Hw

MEET THE BUYER/MEET THE FARMER EVENT (St. Louis)

March 3, 2015, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.  Grocery retailers, chefs, foodservice distributors, schools, caterers and more will be in attendance. Farmers are invited to attend the Meet the Farmers, Meet the Buyers event on March 3, 2015. This one-day event will take place on the St. Louis University campus in the Il Monastero Banquet Center, 3050 Olive Blvd, St. Louis Missouri from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Doors open at 9:30 AM).

This event is an opportunity for farmers to meet with buyers one-on-one and learn what it takes to do business with the grocery and foodservice industries. Buyers interested in sourcing local and regional food will be available to meet with fruit and vegetable farmers as well as farmers providing meats, cheese, dairy products, eggs, artisan products, value-added products, and more.

Event registration fee is $15 per participant and includes all event materials, lunch, and breaks. A buffet lunch will feature several local and regional foods. Due to limited seating, registration must be completed by February 25, 2015. Registration is first come, first served.  http://www.ilfb.org/ifb-news-and-events/conferences-events/meet-the-farmers,-meet-the-buyers.aspx

MEET THE BUYER/MEET THE FARMER EVENT (Near Chicago)

February, 3, 2015 Orland Park Civic Center in Orland Park, IL from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.  RSVP by Jan. 27, 2015 to (708) 354-3276 (Farmers Only) This event is an opportunity for farmers to meet with buyers one-on-one and learn what it takes to do business with the grocery and foodservice industries. Buyers interested in sourcing local and regional food will be available to meet with fruit and vegetable farmers as well as farmers providing meats, cheese, dairy products, eggs, artisan products, value-added products, and more.

Buyers who have are planning to attend includes Berkots, Mariano’s, Get Fresh Produce, Dill Pickle Co-op, Local Foods, Inc., Chicago Food Depository, SunTerra, Eatley, Testa Produce, Farm Fresh Express, and others. This event is free, but registration is required.

2015 Small Farm Winter Webinar Series

The Small Farm Webinar Series is a weekly educational series for the small farm community and
provides practical knowledge on emerging topics which advance local food production in Illinois.  This series of online events is aimed at providing small farm producers with a look at how leading practices in production, management, and marketing enable operations to improve predictability and sustainability.  Webinars air live each Thursday at 1:00 – 2:30 pm and include a question and answer session. If you cannot attend, a link to the recorded webinars will be available to view at your convenience for all those who register. The dates and topics are: 

2015
Jan. 15                 No-till Culture for Peppers & Tomatoes
Jan. 22                 Growing Hops for Market
Jan. 29                 Potato Production
Feb.  5                  Sweet Corn Production
Feb. 12                 Perennial Crops for Small Farms
Feb. 19                 Understanding Insecticides
Feb. 26                 Blueberry Production
Mar.  5                  Hydroponics
Mar. 12                 Effective Farmers Market Displays
Mar. 19                 Veggie Compass Record-Keeping Software
Mar. 26                 Variety Selection & Rootstocks for Establishing Apple Orchards 

TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT(S), LOG ON TO: http://go.illinois.edu/2015winterwebinars Or contact Miki White: Miki White,University of Illinois Extension, Program Coordinator, Small Farms and Local Food Systems, 180 S. Soangetaha Rd., Suite 108, Galesburg, Illinois  61401, Phone:  309-342-5108, Email:  miki7047@illinois.edu.

Food Safety Modernization Act Webinar – December 4, 2014

A webinar organized by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition,
Illinois Stewardship Alliance, U of I Extension and the Ohio Ecological Food
and Farm Association to review the re-proposed Food safety Modernization Act
Produce and Preventative Controls Rules and the potential impacts on local food
systems is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCkGtcUGVn4

Illinois NRCS Announces EQIP Application Deadlines

Illinois State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Ivan Dozier announced that November 21, 2014 and January 16, 2015 will be the two Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) application deadlines.  Click here for more information

Putting Small Acres to Good Use: Workshop Series Announced

The University of Illinois Extension local foods and small farms team is sponsoring a series of workshops on a variety of topics to help people who have a few acres learn ways that they can put them to use.  “Putting Small Acres to Work” workshops will be offered between Nov. 1, 2014 and March 7, 2015 at locations throughout Illinois.    Click here for more information.

ISGA Farmers Market Tent at the Illinois State Fair

The Illinois Specialty Growers Association will be sponsoring the 15th Farmers’ Market at the Illinois State Fair (August 14-23, 2015).  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!

Sustainable Farmer Training Program Enters Its Tenth Year

The Land Connection has entered its tenth year of farmer training and is now accepting applications for its Central Illinois Farm Beginnings course, which begins in October. This year-long farmer training program includes over 70 hours of classroom instructions, free access to field days, and mentorship with successful farmers to help new farmers launch farm businesses that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable.  Click here for more about this program.

Upcoming Meet the Buyer Events and Farmer Meetings

Click here for the full list of upcoming events.  Download Upcoming Events.