Specialty Growers

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. 

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:  Jim Fraley, JFraley@ilfb.org or 309-557-3109.
                     Charlene Blary, CBlary@ilfb.org or 309-557-2107.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Click here for more information

 

 

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.