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.  Accomplishments

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

ISGA Accomplishments - Click here to see what has been accomplished in 2012 with the assistance of your membership dues.

Download ISGA Membership - Click to see a membership application. 

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

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

Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network Workshops

Simon: Federal Grant Expands Link Access At Farmers' Markets  Click on link for more information.

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

Download Cottage Food Operations:  Technical Information Bulletin #44

Download Illinois Cottage Food Regulations:  Top Questions and Answers

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.

 

NRCS Accepting Applications from IL Farmers for Key Conservation Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications to help producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations, and achieve other environmental benefits. Click here for more information.

New Acreage Reporting Requirements and Cover Crop Information

Scherrie V. Giamanco, State Executive Director for USDA's Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind producers of the new acreage reporting requirements for fall seeded small grains, forage crops, apples and peaches.  Producers of perennial forage crops (grass, hay, alfalfa, and pasture) and fall seeded small grains (wheat, rye, and barley) must submit a 2013 acreage report for these crops by December 15, 2012. Producers of apples and peaches must submit a 2013 acreage report for these crops by January 15, 2013. These dates are also the same date for these crops to be reported to your crop insurance agent when carrying federal crop insurance. For the 2013 crop year only, late-file fees will not be assessed if reported by June 30, 2013.  Click for more information - New Acreage Reporting Requirements and Cover Crop.

New EQIP and WHIP Application Due Dates

Due dates:  November 16, 2012 and January 18,  March 15, and May 17, 2013

Illinois State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Ivan Dozier announced Illinois farmers can apply at NRCS offices to have their eligibility verified by November 16 and be considered for the first round of funding selections for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).  While EQIP and WHIP are offered through a continuous signup, NRCS makes periodic funding selections and has scheduled all fiscal year 2013 batching periods.  Download New EQIP and WHIP.

Contracts for Community Supported Agriculture Clarify Expectations for Producers and Consumers

University of Illinois professor of agricultural law A. Bryan Endres and his wife are both lawyers so, between the two of them, they have read a lot of legal documents, but when they became members of their local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), even they struggled to understand the agreement they were asked to sign. Endres’s experience as a consumer led him to develop simple contracts that can clarify expectations, avoid misunderstandings, and protect farmers and their customers.  Click for more information on the Contracts for CSAs.

Preparing a New Generation of Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Farmers

(Farmers needed for new beginning farmer program)

The age of farmers in this country is top-heavy, with older farmers far outnumbering the younger farmers, particularly that of fruit and vegetable growers. University of Illinois crop sciences professor Rick Weinzierl and co-workers recently received a grant from the Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a three-year project to address this problem.  Click for more information on Preparing a New Generation.

Hearing on America’s Agricultural Labor Crisis: Enacting a Practical Solution

If you are interested in the labor crisis in this country, this is a well-written article by Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers, given to the U.S. Senate before the Committee on Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security in October 2011.  It summarizes the labor crisis around the country, how states have reached out to US citizens for labor needs to no avail, and the threat of agriculture moving overseas if this is not resolved.  Click here to read the Testimony.

NASS Publishes Farm Labor Report

The National Agricultural Statistics Service recently published its biannual Farm Labor report. NASS interviewed nearly 12,000 farmers and ranchers across the U.S. to obtain information on the number of agricultural workers, hours worked and wage rates at the national and regional levels. According to the report, the number of hired workers decreased nearly 5 percent, while wage rates increased almost 2 percent from last year. In the report’s reference period—the week of Jan. 8-14, 2012—there were 575,000 workers hired directly by farm operators. In that same time frame, hired workers were paid an average wage of $11.52 per hour.   The biggest increases came in the Corn Belt, which had the highest percentage of farm labor hires. According to the report, this was primarily driven by the need for livestock workers because of increased inventories.