Cuban Market Study Applications Due Friday

Applications Due This Friday, December 16, 2011
 
Here's your chance to promote what you grow on your farm to a global market - that's just off the Florida coast! But don't delay. Applications for Illinois Farm Bureau's Cuban Market Study are due this Friday. (The trip will be held either March 12-17 or 26-31, 2012.)
 
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Tamara Nelsen, Illinois Farm Bureau Senior Director of Commodities. "The potential for Illinois farmers to find new success in Cuba is great.  Nothing beats seeing the potential first hand." 
 
As a participant, you'll spend six days building business relationships and encouraging the sale of Illinois farm products. A firm agenda will not be available until January, but the tour will include a mix of cultural, farm, and business visits, including stops at U.S. and Cuban government agencies.
 
Approximately 16 farmers will be approved for this tour. (Due to the nature of this tour, past participants are not eligible.) You'll be chosen based on:

• your leadership qualifications or initiative (past, present, and future),
• your ability to communicate verbally and in writing, and
• your willingness to share what you've learned through presentations, interviews, and more.

To apply, complete the on-line application.  This application is critical to the approval process, so you are encouraged to fully answer each question with well-thought out responses.
 
To make sure your application is submitted, notify Nicole Moore at nmoore@ilfb.org or 309-557-3343 when you've completed your application.

DETAILS

COSTS: The cost of the tour is divided between Illinois Farm Bureau ($1,000), the participant ($800), and sometimes the county Farm Bureau ($800.) If your county Farm Bureau does not match funds, your costs will be $1,600.
 
PAPERWORK: Market Study Tours can be physically trying. You must be in excellent health and submit a health form not later than December 20, 2011. You must also have (or show you have in the process of obtaining) a U.S. passport valid through December 1, 2012.

Due to the commercial license for which we are applying, the focus of the trip will be on farmers representing their products (including corn, soybeans, wheat, pork, beef, eggs, dairy, and specialty crops) that they or their producer association would like to sell to Cuba.
 
Due to the nature of this tour, past Market Study Tours participants will not be eligible for this trip. Participants from counties that have not participated before will take precedent. No accepted applicant may cancel after the names have been submitted. Some portion of the fee may be not be able to be returned to the participant or the county if the trip is not approved by the U.S. or Cuban government.