Illinois Value Added Sustainable Development Center

Networking

Resources within Illinois

• USDA Rural Development Office of Illinois
  The USDA Rural Development office in Illinois provides technical assistance to cooperatives in agriculture throughout the state.
  
  
• Illinois Department of Agriculture
  The Illinois Department of Agriculture website provides information about the AgriFirst program for value-added agriculture as well as contact information.
  
  
• University of Illinois Department of Economics, Dr. Peter Goldsmith
  Dr. Goldsmith at the University of Illinois has conducted research projects to determine the economic impact of value-added agriculture in Illinois.
  
  
• Illinois Center for Soy Foods
  Information on innovative processing and marketing techniques for soybeans as well as promoting the health benefits of soy.
  
  
• Illinois Specialty Growers Association
  Resources for developing specialty crop production.
  
  
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education network
  Provides information on economically and environmentally viable agriculture practices.
  
  
• Illinois Product Logo Program
  Developed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to promote Illinois Agriculture products through labeling at the grocery store.
  
  
• Illinois Council for Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR)
  A state wide program which focuses on researching methods of improving agriculture in Illinois.
  
  

Illinois Value-Added Ag Producer Groups

• Agriculture Development Association (web site in development)
  A collaboration between agriculture producers and economic development professionals comprised of approximately 500 members building an ethanol plant in Crawford County Illinois.
  
  
• Ag Guild
  An Illinois Ag Producer Coalition whose membership encompasses the following counties: McLean, Tazwell, Woodford, Livingston, Ford, Dewitt and Logan.
  
  
• Big River Resources
  Started in 2000, this New Generation Cooperative consists of 750 Ag producers from 22 counties in Illinois and 14 Iowa counties.
  
  
• Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
  Was started in 2001, consisting of organic farmers from Illinois and across the Midwest.
  
  
• Omni Ventures, Inc.
  A southwestern Illinois coalition researching the use of fiber crop production in Illinois.
  
  
• Southernmost Illinois Ag Coalition (web site in development)
  A coalition of agriculture producers in the southern seven counties in Illinois with various initiatives involving Agri-tourism, freshwater prawn production, and winery development.
  
  

Out of State and Federal Resources

• Ag Marketing Resource Center
  This web site provides comprehensive information for value-added agriculture, facilitated by Iowa State University. The purpose of the site is to: investigate value-added products, explore market and industry trends, create and operate a business, locate businesses and consultants.
  
  
• USDA-Rural Development
  The federal agency which designates loan and grant funding opportunities for agriculture and rural economic development.
  
  
• Agriculture Research Service
  This agency conducts research for the USDA.
  
  
• Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
  A unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products.
  
  
• USDA Fact Book
  This site provides downloadable information on marketing and regulatory programs.
  
  
• Direct Marketing to Schools
  A research article on the topic of direct marketing food to local schools, published by the University of California at Davis.
  
  
• Iowa Department of Economic Development, Value-Added Agriculture
  The Iowa Department of Agriculture website provides resource information on value-added initiatives taking place within their state.
  
  
• Iowa State University, Value Added Agriculture
  A resource agency within the Iowa State University Extension system.
  
  
• Midwest Agribusiness Trade Research and Information Center (MATRIC)
  An international trade development center at Iowa State University that assists small and medium-sized companies in the Midwestern United States to develop and expand export markets for agricultural products.
  
  
• Kansas Cooperative Development Center (KCDC)
  The Arthur Capper Cooperative Center at Kansas State University provides educational assistance to the start up of cooperative business structures.
  
  
• Missouri Sustainable Small Farm Information Network
  A network of resources available for value-added initiatives in Missouri.
  
  
• National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)
  A website which provides information regarding legislative and organizational structure issues in formulating a cooperative business venture.
  
  
• National Farmers Union (NFU)
  An organization which represent the interests of family farmers and ranchers.
  
  

Other Resources

• Market Maker
  A program which supplies resources for developing a connection between Illinois farmers and direct marketing opportunities within the state.
  
  
• Environmental Law and Public Policy
  This group covers a broad section of the Midwest to facilitate renewable energy initiatives along with technical assistance with grant writing opportunities.
  
  
• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
  This section examines the many strategies a farm may use to remain financially viable. Evaluating rural enterprises, creating marketing plans, and processing products on the farm are all considered in the ATTRA publications in this section including Agri-tourism, eco-labeling, and organic certification.
  
  
• Local Harvest
  This site offers a short glossary of direct marketing avenues such as Community Supported Agriculture, Farmers Markets, U-Pick, and farm stands.
  
  
• Successful Farming Market Reports
  This website tracks current market reports of agriculture commodities.
  
  
• Carbohydrate Economy Clearinghouse
  an excellent resource to learn more about new and innovative uses for crop commodities in the form of alternative fuels and crop fibers.