Specialty Growers

Welcome to the ISGA

PLEASE do not except or return a phone call from Expo Housing Services, 866-319-3979. The person on the phone will say that “time is running out for making your reservation for the 2018 IL Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference” but it is not. Registrants have until later this year to make their reservations.  Expo Housing Services or EHS is a known scammer that has been active in the market since 2013. We would never use a third-party vendor to contact Exhibitors or attendees on our behalf – please do not ever return such a call or give out your personal information – call us at the office instead.

 

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:  Raghela Scavuzzo, RScavuzzo@ilfb.org or 309-557-2155.
                     Charlene Blary, CBlary@ilfb.org or 309-557-2107.

 

 

     More information later.

 

 

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

 ISGA Accomplishments - Click here to see what has been accomplished in 2016 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. 

   
      

Video Series Features Best Practices for Postharvest Washing

 

 

A new Penn State Extension farm food safety video series is now available for fruit and vegetable growers seeking more detailed information on farm food safety of harvested crops. The “Using Sanitizers in Wash Water” series is designed for farmers and others involved in the post-harvest handling and cleaning of fresh produce. The three short educational videos recommend best practices so that postharvest handlers of produce understand the potential risks and how to minimize those risks through proper washing and use of wash water sanitizer.

Developed by Luke LaBorde, associate professor of food science, and Lee Stivers, Extension educator in horticulture, the videos address food safety considerations for complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards.

The first video, “Reasons for Washing Fresh Produce,” provides an overview of food safety considerations addressed in the series, focusing on the conditions under which growers should wash produce postharvest and the steps for proper washing. The second video, “Types of Wash Systems” reviews the various wash systems and which systems require sanitizer. The third video, “Correct Use of Sanitizers” addresses technical considerations in selecting the appropriate sanitizer, and how to effectively and safely apply the product.

The video series provides an introduction to wash water farm food safety considerations and should be used as a supplement to GAPs certification.

Source: Penn State Extension

Dixon Springs Agricultural Center Twilight Meeting

University of Illinois Extension is excited to be the host for the first of four twilight meetings at their newly rejuvenated horticulture research and demonstration area at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center Monday, May 21, 2018 starting at 6 p.m. University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educators, Bronwyn Aly and Nathan Johanning, have been partnering with area farmers over the past four years to provide evening “twilight meetings” to highlight and demonstrate diverse farming enterprises across southern Illinois. Anyone involved or interested in local food production or learning more about farms in our region is encouraged and invited to attend.    Click here for more information.  Download 2018 Twilight Series Flyer.

Farm To Shcool For Farmers

Are you a specialty grower interested in selling food to schools or daycare centers? Are you curious about being a guest-speaker in a local classroom or inviting students to take a field trip on your farm? Become a member of the Illinois Farm to School Network to learn more and get involved! Click here to read the article, Download Farm To School For Farmers.

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Announces 2018 Priorities

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is a national coalition of more than 120 organizations representing growers of fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants, and other products. The alliance was established to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop agriculture and improve the health of Americans by broadening the scope of U.S. agricultural public policy.  To read the whole article click this link, Download Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Announces 2018 Priorities.  

ISGA Farmers Market Tent at the 2018 Illinois State Fair

The Illinois Specialty Growers Association will be sponsoring the 18th Farmers’ Market at the Illinois State Fair (August 9-19, 2018).  The farmers’ market will actually be in the same tent as the Illinois Department of Agriculture at the Corner of Center and Main.  Hours are 11:00 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 Raghela at RScavuzzo@ilfb.org or 309-557-2107 if interested.  We need help promoting YOUR industry! 

Specialty Crop Block Grant Now Accepting Proposals

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is now accepting proposals for federal specialty crop grants.  The agency has been notified Illinois will receive more than $520,000 and instructed to begin the proposal selection process.  The deadline to apply will be May 13.  “This year the United States Department of Agriculture is encouraging projects that benefit underserved communities and veterans, improving producer capacity with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act, developing adaptation and mitigation strategies for farmers in drought-stricken regions, increasing opportunities for new and beginning farmers, developing strong local and regional food systems, protecting pollinator habitats and improving pollinator health, to name a few," said Acting Director Raymond Poe.  "These funds may lead to projects that help feed communities, encourage more participation in agriculture, or increase a farmer's profitability and productivity."  Request for proposal packets and additional information about the program can be found online at the department's website at www.agr.state.il.us.  For more information call (217) 524-9129.

Food Safety Modernization Act

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years, was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. Here are some links that can keep you in the know regarding the final ruling of the Produce Rule and that was passed on Nov. 13, 2015. For more in-depth information regarding the Standards for Growing, Harvest, Packing and Holding Produce for Human Consumption click HERE  Implementation Activity — Clarification of compliance dates for certain food establishments for the Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food can be found HERE.  FDA's Strategy for FSMA Training - Who will provide training for the food industry? For information click HERE.

Farmers Market Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate

Effective July 20, 2015, the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act was amended to include Food Product Sampling at Farmers Markets and the Illinois Food Service Sanitation Code now includes Subpart N, 750.4300 Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate for Farmers Markets. The Farmers Market Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate training is now available on I-TRAIN. The training course is free and can be accessed here: https://i.train.org Course number 1061218.  Any vendor at a farmers market that would like to sample their product (fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meat, etc.) can do so without a separate permit from the local health department, as long as they have a valid Illinois Farmers Market Food Product Sampling Handler Certificate. This certificate can be used throughout the state and is valid for three (3) years from date of issuance.   Click here for the rest of the article and to view a copy of the certificate.

Revisions to the Worker Protection Standard

EPA is announcing stronger protections for the nation’s two million agricultural workers and their families working on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses. These revisions to the 1992 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard will afford farmworkers similar health protections that are already afforded to workers in other industries.  Click here for more information:  http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/revisions-worker-protection-standard

Five Places to Look For Farm Grants

If you’re like many small-scale beginning farmers, you've stared at a certain piece of your property longing to build a greenhouse, pond or a commercial kitchen, but haven't had the funds to make it happen. One solution to this problem is to seek out grants that will give you the access to capital needed to further your farm operation. State and federal governments, along with colleges and other institutions, set aside funding to help farmers afford the things they need. Some of these grants are geared towards specific types of projects while others allow you to invent the project yourself. Some pay the full amount while others share the cost with you. Either way, there’s money out there waiting to help you get your project going—the big
question is where to find it.  Click here to find out more.