Illinois Agri-Food Workforce Survey

Workforce development continues to be a top issue for food and agriculture businesses and organizations across Illinois, particularly when it comes to attracting a diverse array of students and prospective workers who are unaware about the multitude of jobs and long-term careers that exist across our state’s #1 industry.

An industry-led collaborative of agri-food workforce advocates are brainstorming ideas to elevate communication about food and agriculture as a viable and highly valued employment sector. This includes exploration of an Illinois Agri-Food Careers website, career resources, and business partnerships with schools and communities.

This is not a research project. The collaborative team is surveying small-, medium-, and large-size businesses, other for-profit and nonprofit food and agriculture organizations, and educators across the state. Survey results will be utilized to assess the need and opportunity for developing a well-informed and useful website and supporting resources that can be widely accessed and utilized to promote food & agriculture careers, educational pathways, and job opportunities in Illinois.

Take the Surveys!

Surveys Close Friday, September 10, 2021

If you represent an Illinois agri-food business and organization in human resources, talent acquisition, marketing recruitment, personnel management, strategy, operations, or management, please click below. 

(Download a PDF copy of the Agri-Food Business & Organization Survey here.)
(Download a Word copy of the Agri-Food Business & Organization Survey here.)

For Illinois K-12 school representatives with and without food and agriculture related educational programs, click below. Representatives may include educators and guidance counselors as well as school and district administrators.

(Download a PDF copy of the K-12 Educator Survey here.)

Thank you for your effort in responding to this important opportunity. Responses will contribute to immediate action by informing website and resource development that directly responds to pressing workforce needs.

Illinois Agri-Food Workforce Initiative Collaborators & Supporters

Archer Daniels Midland; Brandt Industries; Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences; CME Group, Inc., CNH Industrial; Compeer Financial; COUNTRY Financial; Cultivian Sandbox; Decatur Public Schools Foundation; Elevate Illinois; Ernst & Young; Facilitating Coordination in Agriculture Education (FCAE); Food:Land:Opportunity, GROWMARK; Fresh Taste, Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation; Illinois AgTech Accelerator; Illinois Soybean Association; Illinois Farm Bureau; Open Prairie Ventures; OSI Group; The Development Consortium; University of Illinois