Spring 2011
Spring Newsletter
Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
Semi-Annual Newsletter
Thinking Out Loud
Thoughts from your MOFC Staff
Well, no one saw the conventional market moving as high as
it has over the last few months,
and the same is true with the
organic corn and small grain markets. That of course is with the
exception of Food and Feed
Grade organic soybeans which
are stagnant because of low
priced “organic” beans coming
out of Canada. The organic
market several months ago certainly could not have gone lower,
that is for sure, so it is good to
see the rebound in the market.
Everyone has been discussing
how organic growers reverting
back to conventional farming
would affect the organic prices.
At the same time, stronger sales
were returning for the larger egg
producers and they have once
again started ramping production
up to meet the increasing demand. So we are now watching
the dynamics in the market move
back in favor of the organic producers.
First, don’t bet the farm on any
predictions we or anyone else try
to make for several months down
the road, but we’re expecting
major users of organic corn in
particular will have to cut back
on their productions if they don’t
have their corn needs bought
well into this summer. If high
prices hold, we think you will see
the door open up again for imports of organic corn on the East
and West coasts.
We certainly get mixed signals
from buyers. A month ago a
large user was still looking for a
lot of corn, recently they said
they were pretty much bought to
new crop and lowered their price
back down to $9.00 delivered.
Another buyer is holding his price
and won’t go any higher, which
tells us both of these large buyers have made some strategic
decisions and are pulling back on
the reins slowing things down.
With more organic land leaving
production in 2011, we think you
can expect end users to factor
this into what they are doing in
late 2011 through 2012. You
have your organic rotations to
maintain, but at this point or-
ganic corn looks like it will be
the cash cow for you in 2012
based on what should be a better balance in the supplydemand equation.
Farmers and end-users have
punished each other the last
few years with some of the
highest and lowest prices we
have seen in the last several
years for organic corn, small
grains and to a lesser degree
Soybeans. We know the pendulum is swinging back in your
direction and our marketers
Continued on page 2
Inside this issue:
MOFC Thoughts
1-2
Member Advertisements
3
Marketing Info
3-4
MOFC Staff Articles
4—7
Local Food, Farm, Jobs Act
8-11
Board & Staff Contact Info
12
Thinking Out Loud (continued)
encourage everyone to crunch
your production cost numbers
against yields / potential profits
and determine a profitable and
sustainable price for your corn
and small grains that does not
kill the market growth. We say
this because there are a lot of
fundamentals in our economy
that still don’t look that good
(like home values declining,
commercial real estate still in
the dumps, higher energy prices,
etc. etc. etc. etc.) and it won’t
take much for the consumers
who are currently feeling a little
better about spending more
money on organic food, to pull
back and watch their pocketbooks once again and stop buying
organic eggs and milk (where
most organic corn and soybeans
go) which is driving the resurgence in the market. The endusers and processors need to
keep growing the market, and
we don’t think you want this to
be a situation where they once
again have to take two steps
back after having just taken one
step forward again, repeating
what happened two-three years
ago.
There was also an effort out
there over the last couple years
where large food corporations
have been promoting the idea of
“natural” grown foods and natural packaged products. We’ve
seen many articles written regarding “what organic foods are
really important to be eating,
and which ones are not”, and
Page 2
the organic lists we’ve seen are
not that long. They support this
with “scientific research”, and
we’ve see these same efforts on
the morning TV news programs,
evening news and various talk
programs, not to mention hearing it on the radio also in various
formats. There are corporations
spending a lot of money trying to
convince the public they can eat
healthy by eating conventional.
This first started appearing when
the economy started going bad
in 2008 when consumers started
watching their pocketbooks.
This might sound “preachy” but
many people who are reading
this right now have told us they
would rather have profitable and
sustainable pricing for everyone
than going through these upward
and downward spikes in pricing.
Buyers and sellers both have
their legitimate arguments, but
we’re hoping this time around
there is a little more moderation
and give on the part of everyone
and a little more dynamic long
term thinking.
Of course, one of the ways to
avoid the ups and downs of the
market is to start producing
more organic farm products that
do not have to go through these
large food corporations that
have taken over organic over the
last 15-years. Five – six years
ago the idea of locally grown
foods started to get legs and
many state universities have
been researching the local food
economy statewide and regionally. Ultimately this required
resources, cooperation and organization as well as a consensus
on where to start and what direction you’re heading. The
door is opening wide right now
and it would be good for producers to start looking at other opportunities where you are not at
the whims of the large food corporations in organic who are
shareholder-oriented and not
concerned about the things that
really matter, which is the
American organic farmer and his
family and fertile land.
Ultimately, the large food corporations are hard at work figuring
out how they can get their raw
materials (your crops) at the
lowest price, and there is another grass roots effort in the
country to “redo” organic and
sustainable food in the right way
to keep small farms thriving.
Keep your wits about you while
you are working long days around
your farm equipment this spring,
and have a safe and prosperous
year!!
Spring Newsletter
Members Marketplace
For Sale
4 MOFC Members have Buckwheat Seed available for sale. Please contact them
directly for information.
Marvin Manges—(618) 793-2060
George Mears—(765) 490-6826 cell
Ted Weydert—(815) 739-3062 cell
located in Yale, IL
located in Delphi, IN
located in DeKalb, IL
Jim Hicks—(309) 274-2228 or [email protected]
If you have anything you
would like posted in the
newsletter, please let the
Business Office know.
located in Chillicothe, IL
Five-row Splitter Unit-- Custom made 5RN planter on 3-Pt hitch. Mount it
to tractor, pull a 6RN planter behind and PRESTO, you're planting eleven 15inch rows. Kintze meters and monitor included. $1,100 OBO. Contact Jim
Hicks at (309) 274-2228 or [email protected]
I will custom graze your organic or conventional livestock. Grass finishing,
grain on grass---dairy heifers, swine, sheep or goats. Daily fee or per-pound of
gain. Years of experience. Scott Worl 309-221-1879 Plymouth, IL.
MOFC Marketing Agreements
Enclosed is your Annual Marketing Agreement and Listed Production Sheet to be completed and returned to the Newton Office. As explained earlier, this information is vital for our Marketing Team to
perform their duties. The Board is committed to developing a strong, united, & loyal cooperative. By
returning your Marketing Agreement you are supporting this endeavor. It is the choice of each member
whether to remain committed to this cooperative. As per the By-Laws any member who has not utilized/supported the Co-op in a year is ineligible to be a member and at risk of losing his or her membership in the Co-op. The Board will be voting at their May meeting on the status of those who have not
returned their agreement from last year. If you have questions, please contact a Board Member.
For those of you who have nothing to market but wish to continue your support of the Co-op there has
been a category established for an Associate Member. You must notify the Co-op in writing of your desire to do this. There are, however, no voting rights or privileges with this type of membership. At such
time as you have commodities to market, your Associate Membership can be transferred back to a full
membership with all privileges and rights reinstated.
The simplest way to avoid losing your membership is to return your Marketing Agreement/Product Listing and just note that you have nothing to market at this time. A lot of our members feed their production to livestock and only market their excess through us. That is perfectly acceptable but we must have
your signed Marketing Agreement/Product Listing stating so. Also, many have their own little “niche”
markets that they sell through. This too is perfectly acceptable. Just list the products that you will have
available to market through the Co-op on your Listing. There is a column marked for Co-op Sale or not.
Page 3
Spring Newsletter
Marketing Perspective
It is not like you can turn on the
local radio station in the morning and get the "organic farm
news", that simply does not exist.
not our job to tell you what you
want to hear, but to give you
some real time perspective
about the different markets. We don't know everything
because there is too much to
know, but because we speak to
buyers, processors, manufacturers as well as other co-op marketers from around the Midwest
all the time, we at least can give
you unbiased and real time
market information.
We have good news and we
have bad news about the organic market place. It is
Because we work for you, our
agenda is working for your best
interest. Give us a call every
The best luck we have had in
getting producer / members
into profitable markets are with
those members
who communicate with the marketing office and trust the work
we do on their behalf in understanding the markets.
Seed Coordinator
Spring
2011
AAh spring! Brings on mixed
weather, cold one day, warm the
next. However it also brings new
life. The Easter lily’s bloom, the
trees bud out, with the promise of a
new growing season.
MOFC has seeds available to fulfill
the upcoming growing season. In
the soybean seed line, we have 3
Page 4
Duane Baker
clear hilum food grade beans that
are in excellent demand in the organic food grade markets. The newest line of the three being the
IA1018 for our northern growers.
This bean is in the 1.8 maturity
group. It was produced last year in
the DeKalb area and performed
very well. For central/upper central
IL, we have MOFC5160, which is
in the 2.6 maturity group and is a
proven performer, both in production and in the market place. The
next variety is MOFC5148, which
is a 3.0 maturity group, and works
very well in central/south central
IL. It is a proven performer, both in
production as well as in the market
place.
MOFC is planning to put in soybean test plots in Fairbury IL this
growing season to compare and test
a number of new food grade lines of
soybeans as well as a number of
feed grade (dark hilum) soybeans.
We will plan to have a plot tour in
now and then to tell us what your
plans and needs are and we'll be
ready when the right business
comes along or we can make the
right call on the right day. Sometimes a piece of good business
comes up one day and is gone the
next day. If we know what you
have and what you want to do, we
can get you in on a good contract
before it's gone.
Not to forget, a lot of good information also comes to us from our
members and this helps everyone
in the co-op (cooperative marketing).
Duane’s Doodles
late summer or early fall.
MOFC will also have buckwheat
seed available, when the warmer
weather gets here.
As you can see from Merle’s article
MOFC is offering a forward contract for these beans at a better
price than last year. Any of these
beans will meet the criteria in this
contract.
MOFC is also offering for the first
time a new product called Chickity
Doo Doo! This is a composted and
pelleted chicken manure product
coming out of southern WI. It has
excellent levels of many plant nutrients available in it. This product
is available in bulk, totes, or even
bags if so desired.
Have a great and safe 2011 growing season!!
Spring Newsletter
Administrative Director
Bonnie Wagner
whose terms expired in 2010. Jim
Hicks, whose 1st 3 year term expired and Ted Weydert & George
Mears, whose 2nd set of 3 year
terms expired. The nominating
committee provided 1 name that
offered to serve on the Board of Directors. Since there was only 1
name provided, the members present voted to accept Ben Meister
from Fairbury, IL for a 3 year term.
Since the Board is working through
the transition of creating a solid
Board & Governance Policy it was
voted to suspend the 2 term limit
and Ted Weydert and George
Mears were re-elected to serve another term.
MOFC Events & Statistics:
MOFC Annual Meeting:
The annual meeting was held on
Friday, December 4th at the White
Oak Township Building in Carlock,
IL. There were 21 members, 4
guests and 4 employees present.
All enjoyed a very delicious organic
meal catered by Bronwyn’s team
from Heritage Prairie Market. The
produce was grown on MOFC
Board Member Bronwyn’s farm
and was indeed scrumptious.
Board of Directors & Management Leadership Seminar:
4 Board Members and 2 staff members attended a 1 day leadership
seminar at the Springfield Association of Electrical Cooperatives Feb.
18th. The Board and staff are
working hard to make your cooperative a wholesome and unified
group. We learned quite a bit
There were 3 Board Members
Organic Certificates
PLEASE pay careful attention to
the copies that you get from your
certifier for your certification. Several certifiers have now gone to a 2
Page Certificate.
If you are certified by ICO they
have gone to a 2 page certificate
with the first page looking like the
actual certificate but there is a 2nd
page which is called the ICO Certified Products List. This is the page
Page 5
-
Bonnie’s Bulletin Board
about the roles of Leadership and
Management and the differences
between the two. The Board and
staff are working to implement
policies and procedures that will
encourage and promote a more
united co-op. Your support is
needed in order for this unity to be
achieved. Please return your Marketing Agreement/Listed Products
and Certification ASAP.
22nd Annual Organic Farming
Conference:
2 employees and several members
attended the OFARM Annual
Meeting and the Organic Farming
Conference in LaCrosse, WI the
week of Feb. 21st—26th.
The OFARM committee meetings
were held Feb. 22nd—23rd and the
Annual Meeting was Feb. 24th.
The Annual Organic Farming Conference was held Feb. 24th—Feb.
26th. This is what was formerly
called the Upper Midwest Organic
Farming Conference and is held
annually by MOSES.
Is your Certificate a 2—Page Certificate??
where the crops that are covered
under your certification are listed.
We must have both copies in order
for the certificate to be valid.
If you are certified by OCIA they
also have gone to a 2 page certificate. The first page looks pretty
much like the certificates they have
always had but now the products
are listed on a 2nd page which they
call an addendum. Again, we must
have both pages in order for the
certificate to be valid.
If you are not sure just check to see
if your products are listed on the
page that is your “certificate”. If
they aren’t then you should have a
second page which lists the products covered by your certification
for that year. Please include both
copies when sending them to
MOFC.
Spring Newsletter
Marketing Director
Merle J. Kramer
riod. A lot of influence will come
from conventional prices and the
price of organic corn as well. If you
have wheat and want to sell into
the organic market, sit tight for a
few months and see what happens.
Market Outlook (Current Best
Guess)
All indications point to optimism in
the market for organic producer
income, but no one can say where
things will be a year from now.
There are indications telling us
supply and demand is probably
back in balance for Yellow Corn
and small grains, but soybeans are
more difficult to figure out.
Organic Soft Wheat Market:
Last spring I wrote how dumbfounded I was at the degree to
which the organic soft wheat flour
market had disappeared, and it
seems all of that built up inventory
from 2008 is now history and endusers are buying in “real time”. I
have not really gotten any firm
prices from buyers at this point but
it is likely the market will not be
throwing out any big offers to buy
wheat in July, August, September,
October because of many producers
not having long term storage or
needing cash who will feed the
market to some degree. I would
not expect the real market prices to
start showing up until the November, December, January time pe-
Page 6
Organic Small Grain Market: It
seems that this market should be
more vital regarding demand, but I
think good 38 pound TW oats
should find markets and if dairy
producers are still feeding grain,
oats and barley might find decent
homes there also. It is difficult to
predict this will happen, but indications in the market are favorable
for it to happen.
We are looking at triticale as a
potential small grain rotation crop
for you and have found some interesting research that has been done
in various applications and are trying to get some end users to look at
it. The first end user I have heard
back from has had experience with
it in the past and so far is positive
about it. An indication I received
from one producer had an extremely good yield with it one year
with one variety, and poorer yield a
second year with another variety.
So we need to do more research on
varieties.
Webster’s Dictionary puts it best:
triticale an amphidiploid hybrid
between wheat and rye that has a
high yield and rich protein content.
Thus, the protein is higher and potentially should be more desirable
to buyers who use wheat in their
rations, and higher yields should
make it profitable for you.
Merle’s Memos
Organic Yellow Corn: Early offers on 2011 crop corn are on the
conservative side, translating anywhere between $7.00 and $8.00
picked up at the farm. This of
course is not representing the current market, but it is a market that
is driven by producers needing to
move their grain at harvest.
If demand indeed overtakes supply,
there will be some supply made up
with imported corn on the East and
West Coast, but I have to believe
end-users will react quicker than
they did 3-years ago and pull back
on the egg production or whatever
they are producing.
We strongly feel that you need to
make a good profit on your crops,
but if prices get too extreme that
will only hurt you down the road.
Organic Soybeans:
Feed Grade Soybeans - This market
is still being driven by cheaply
priced “organic” beans coming out
of Canada as it has been for two
years now, and soybean meal and
soybeans from India and China are
reaching the East and West Coasts
at a good enough price and volume
that has those end users mostly
ignoring Midwest production. I
can’t really say what the outlook is
for new crop market, but it seems
the best this market will do is
beans picked up at the farm for
around $18.00/bushel, more or less
depending how far they have to go.
On the front end of 2011 crop organic soybeans, if nothing changes
Spring Newsletter
Merle’s Memos—continued
with the above mentioned market
dynamics, expect buyers putting
out “at the farm” prices that will
net you in the $15.00 to $16.00 per
bushel range. This early buying is
always driven by growers who don’t
have storage and who need cash,
and buyers seem to be able to work
this market and those lower prices
for several weeks after harvest.
beans for 21 truckloads of cleaned
and bagged soybeans. At this point
we expect to clean and bag them in
Ashkum, Illinois and that would
translate into $22.50 per bushel
cleaned weight basis. We would
like to fill this contract out with
our coop varieties MOFC 5160 and
MOFC 5148, but can use other
good protein varieties.
Food Grade Soybeans – Currently,
there still seems to be a lot of unsold food grade soybeans in the
bins. We are still several months
from harvest, but it seems the endusers are bought out pretty far and
are not seeing the demand that
creates a more vibrant market.
Indicators are telling me there are
a lot more food grade soybeans
than markets, but there could be
other explanations such as buyers
are buying on an “as needed basis”
instead of contracting out too far.
The cleanout will be spot market
price at the time of cleaning and
bagging and will more than likely
net a higher price as the year progresses. Give us a call today to
talk about this opportunity.
Last week we signed our first contract for 2011 crop food grade soy-
Marketer/Member Relations
MOFC’s role in marketing your
grains:
Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative does have a good reputation
among the end users we work with,
and in our conversations with them
we are always representing your
interests. We are very reliable in
organizing and facilitating the paperwork between you and the end-
Lori Wells
MOFC would like to form a committee for the purpose of advising/
informing members of the IL Food
Farms and Jobs Council. The IL
Food Farms and Jobs Council’s
task is to facilitate the growth of an
Illinois-based local farm and food
product economy. (Please see the
inserted IL Food, Farms and Jobs
Act of 2009 on next 3-1/2 pages).
Page 7
users, and we work hard to get the
grain delivered on time which
keeps those markets open to you.
Not only do we know the markets
from doing the business we do, but
we search out information and are
always looking at new markets and
the best opportunities for your
grains.
Ultimately, we can work better for
you when you let us know your
needs and requirements as far
ahead of time as possible. Sometimes opportunities are here today
and gone tomorrow and we often do
not have the time to search you
out, but work with the crops and
people who provide their inventories and let us know what they
need ahead of time. We like hearing from you and we hope you give
us a call now and then to check in
on the market and let us know
what you are hearing and seeing in
your neighborhood, and what your
needs are so we can accommodate
you as best as possible.
Lori’s Logic
This would be a committee that
informally provides input to
members of the council on behalf
of the members of MOFC.
If you would be interested in being a member of the committee,
please contact the Newton office.
Spring Newsletter
Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2009
AN ACT concerning local farm and food products.
Be in enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the “Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act”.
Section 5. Definitions.
“Local farm or food products” are products grown, processed, packaged, and distributed by Illinois citizens or businesses located wholly within the borders of Illinois.
Section 10. Procurement goals for local farm or food products.
(a) In order to create, strengthen, and expand local farm and food economies throughout Illinois, it shall be the
goal of this State that 20% of all food and food products purchased by State agencies and State-owned facilities,
including, without limitation, facilities for persons with mental health and developmental disabilities, correctional
facilities, and public universities, shall, by 2020, be local farm or food products.
(b) The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council established under this Act shall support and encourage that 10% of
food and food products purchased by entities funded in part or in whole by State dollars, which spend more than
$25,000 per year on food or food products for it’s students, residents, or clients, including, without limitation, public
schools, child care facilities, after-school programs, and hospitals, shall, by 2020 be local farm or food products.
(c) To meet the goals set forth in this Section, when a State contract for purchase of food or food products is to be
awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the
use of local farm or food products may be given preference over other bidders, provided that the cost included in the
bid of local farm or food products is not more than 10% greater than the cost included in a bid that is not for local
farm or food products.
(d) All Stage agencies and State-owned facilities that purchase food and food products shall, with the assistance of
the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council, develop a system for
(i) identifying the percentage of local farm or food products purchased for fiscal year 2011 as the baseline:
and
(ii) tracking and reporting local farm or food products purchases on an annual basis.
Section 15. Creation of the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council.
(a) The General Assembly authorizes the Department of Agriculture, in accordance with Section 10 of the State
Agency Entity Creation Act. To create the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council.
(b) The purpose of the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council shall be to facilitate the growth of an Illinois-based local farm and food product economy that revitalizes rural and urban communities, promotes healthy eating with
access to fresh foods, creates jobs, ensures a readily available supply of safe food in an emergency event, and supports economic growth through making local farm or food products available to all Illinois citizens.
Continued
Page 8
Spring Newsletter
Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act (continued)
Section 20. Responsibilities of the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council.
(a) To assist State agencies, State-owned facilities, and other entities with the purchase of local farm or food products and with tracking and reporting of such purchases in order to meet the goals established in Section 10 of this
Act.
(b) To assist local farm and food entrepreneurs to identify and secure necessary resources and equipment to begin,
maintain, and expand projects and networks necessary for the development of local farm or food products; provided, however, that it is the intent of this Act that the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council will facilitate or program start-ups and then relinquish rights, benefits, and control within a reasonably short duration of time.
(c) To facilitate the building of infrastructure, including aggregation, processing, storage, packaging, and distribution facilities necessary to move local farm or food products to local and other markets.
(d) To support and expand programs that recruit, train, and provide technical assistance to Illinois farmers and
residents in order to encourage the production of local farm or food products.
(e) To coordinate interagency policies, initiatives, and procedures promoting local farm and food products in Illinois
communities, by working with and involving State, federal, and local agencies, as well as community based organizations, educational institutions, and trade organizations in executing the purposes of this Act.
(f) To facilitate the elimination of legal barriers hindering the development of a local farm and food economy by
working with federal, State, and local public health agencies, other agencies and applicable entities, and the Illinois Attorney General to create consistent and compatible regulations for the production, storage, distribution, and
marketing of local farm or food products.
(g) To facilitate the use of public lands for growing local farm or food products by working with governmental entities at the local, State, and federal levels.
(h) To set annual goals for all purchased of local farm or food products by Illinois residents and to monitor the development and expansion of a local farm and food economy through data collection, tracking, measurement, analysis, and reporting on progress made in an annual report to the Illinois General Assembly.
(i) To develop, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, a label and certification program different that
the “Illinois Product” label program, whereby a label with a specific name and unique design or logo may by placed
on local farm and food products.
(j) T initiate and facilitate public awareness campaigns about the economic benefits of a local farm and food economy.
Section 25. Governance of the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council.
(a) The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council shall be governed by a 35-member board of directors, which shall be
comprised of the following:
1.
2.
3.
one representative each from the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; the Department of Public Health; the Department of Human Services, Office of
Health and Prevention; the Department of Human Services, Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness;
the Director of the Lieutenant Governor’s Rural Affairs Council;
one agricultural specialist for the University of Illinois Extension;
Continued
Page 9
Semi-Annual Newsletter
Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act (continued)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
four local farm or food product farmers representing different agribusiness sectors, including, but not
limited to, the dairy, meat, vegetable, and grain sectors;
four local farm or food product producers representing different flower, fruit, viticulture, aquaculture,
forestry, seeds, fiber, vegetable, ornamental, or other specialty crop sectors;
two local farm or food product processors;
two local farm or food product distributors;
three representatives of not-for-profit educational organizations that specialize in supporting and expanding local farm or food product networks;
one certifier of specialty local farm or food products, such as an organic, naturally grown, biodynamic,
Halal or Kosher certifier:
one local farm or food product consumer representative;
two representatives of farm organizations;
one representative from a philanthropic organization supporting the development of local farm or food
products;
one local farm or food product retailer;
two municipal representatives from different communities in the State actively engaged in the development of local farm or food products;
four representatives from community-based organizations focusing on access to local farm or food products, including at least 3 minority members; and
one chef specializing in the preparation of locally grown foods.
(b) The 29 non-state governmental board members shall be appointed by the Governor to 3-year staggered terms as
determined by the Governor. Persons may be nominated by organizations representing the sectors outlined in subsection (a) of this Section. Vacancies shall be filled by the Governor.
(c) The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council may apply for and establish a not for profit corporation under the
General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986.
(d) The board of directors shall have all the rights, titles, powers, privileges, and obligations provided for in the
General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986. It shall elect its presiding officers from among its members and
may elect or appoint an executive committee, other committees, and subcommittees to conduct the business of the
organization.
(e) The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council may solicit grants, loans, and contributions from public or private
sources and may enter into any contracts, grants, loans or agreements with respect to the use of such funds to execute the purposes of this Act. No debt or obligation of the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council shall become the
debt or obligation of the State.
(f) The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council shall not be considered a State Agency, and its funds shall be considered private funds and held in an appropriate account outside of the State Treasury. Private funds collected by the
Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council are not subject to the Public Funds Investment Act. Local Food, Farms, and
Jobs Council procurement is exempt from the Illinois Procurement Code. The treasurer of Local Food, Farms, and
Jobs Council funds shall be custodian of all Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council funds. The Local Food, Farms,
and Jobs Council and it’s officers shall be responsible for the approval of recording of receipts, approval of payments, and the proper filing of required reports. The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council’s record shall be audited
annually by an independent auditor who is a certified public accountant and has been selected by the Board. An
Continued
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Spring Newsletter
Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act (continued)
annual report shall also be compiled by the Board. Both the annual report and the annual audit shall be filed with
any public agency providing funds to the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council and be made available to the public.
(g) Subject to the availability of public or private funds, the board of directors may employ an executive director,
treasurer, other staff, or independent contractors necessary to execute the purposes of this Act, and it may fix the
compensation, benefits, terms, and conditions of those persons’ employment.
(h) The State Governmental agencies represented on the board of directors may re-direct existing staff, as appropriations permit; assist in executing the purposes of this Act; and provide office space, meeting space, and other
research and communication services as appropriate.
(i) The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council may be assisted in carrying out its functions by personnel of the Department of Agriculture. The Department shall provide reasonable assistance to the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs
Council to help it achieve its purposes.
Section 80. The Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended
by changing Section 205-45 and adding Section 205-46 as follows: (20 ILCS 205/205-45) (was 20 ILCS205-40.36)
Sec. 205-45. “Illinois Product” label program. The Department has the power to administer the “Illinois Product”
label program, whereby a label with the words “Illinois Product” on it may be placed on food and agribusiness commodities produced, processed, or packaged in Illinois. The definition of “Illinois Product” does not imply that the
product meets the definition of “local farm or food products” as defined in the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-385, eff. 8-15-97; 90-403, eff. 8-15-97;91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)
(20 ILCS 205/205-46 new)
Sec. 205-46. Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act labeling and certification program. The Department may administer
a label and certification program, different that the “Illinois Product” label program, whereby a label with a specific
name and unique design or logo may be placed on local farm and food products that are grown, processed, packaged, and distributed by Illinois citizens or businesses located wholly within the borders of Illinois. The label and
certification program will be developed jointly with the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council. The Department
shall adopt rules necessary to implement this Section.
Section 97. Severability.
The provision of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
Section 99. Effective date.
This Act takes effect upon becoming Law.
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Semi-Annual Newsletter
Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
Direct from the Farm
MOFC
100A S. Lafayette St.
Newton, IL 62448
Midwest Organic Farmers Cooperative
Ph. 618-783-4601
Fax 618-783-4602
E-mail: [email protected]
We’re on the Web
www.midwestorganic.com
MOFC Board Members
Employees
Newton Office
Ted Weydert—President
Ron Ackerman
DeKalb, IL
(815) 827-3382
Chenoa, IL
(815) 945-5722
George Mears—Vice President
Jeff Glazik
Delphi, In
(766) 564-2020
Bonnie Wagner—Administrative Director
Paxton, IL
(217) 379-4580
E-mail: [email protected]
100-A S. Lafayette St.
Newton, IL 62448
Ph. (618) 783-4601
Fax (618) 783-4602
Lori Wells—Marketing/Member Relations
E-mail: [email protected]
Ben Meister—Secretary
Bronwyn Weaver
Fairbury, IL
(815) 692-4481
Elburn, IL
(630) 443-8253
Duane Baker—Seed Coordinator
Cell (618) 554-5142
E-mail: [email protected]
Kevin Edelman—Treasurer
Strawn, IL
(815) 848-7099
Michigan Office
135 E. Bennett St.
Saline, MI 48176
Ph. (734) 429-9109 or 9110
Fax (734) 429-9101
Merle Kramer—Marketing Director
Cell (734) 649-7172
E-mail: [email protected]