Monthly Archives: April 2016

New Research Finds Climate Solutions in the Soil

We know that poor land management and the conversion of native ecosystems to agriculture can lead to release greenhouse gases. Two papers recently showed that improving agricultural management can substantially reduce these emissions and in some cases sequester carbon from the atmosphere in the soil: The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Breakthrough Strategies and Solutions, LLC, jointly published a paper that explores how soil carbon is sequestered, the state of soil carbon research, and the debate on its potential. The journal Nature published a review that was all about the role of soils in addressing climate change SILT supports [...]

2023-11-07T12:35:59-06:00April 25th, 2016|News|0 Comments
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Ikerd on Farmland Access

SILT Adviser John Ikerd recently posted a great article he wrote about farmland access for sustainable farmers. We think you'll recognize a lot of his solutions. What can we do now to give older farmers a decent retirement while transferring land affordably to the next generation? Let us know your thoughts. Meanwhile, contact us if you know wealthy funds or foundations interested in making real, permanent, proven change in Iowa. Really. We're serious. Thanks!

2023-09-13T11:28:08-05:00April 12th, 2016|News|0 Comments
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Iowa farmland values decline nearly 9%

The Iowa Realtors Land Institute farmland survey through March shows the average value of cropland fell to $6,732 an acre, 8.7 percent lower less than a year ago, or 22.5 percent lower in 2013. Farm incomes gave been dropping at even higher rates. SILT helps farmers take land access out of the equation, lowering the need for huge capital investment and reducing the risk of defaulting on payments. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2016/03/30/survey-iowa-farmland-values-decline-nearly-9-percent/82430564/

2023-09-13T11:38:40-05:00April 4th, 2016|News|0 Comments
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Iowa Land Access Forum

Thursday March 31st, a group of beginning farmers, organizations and service providers gathered to talk about the challenges around land access in Iowa. The conversation was facilitated by National Young Farmers Coalition's Holly, who asked participants about their successes and challenges around land access, as well as the opportunities they saw. Many of the priorities discussed are part of SILT's mission: to protect land to grow healthy food long term leasing opportunities working with landowners to provide easements that preserve the land Help SILT help beginning farmers by donating or volunteering, and learn more about these land access forums here: https://www.youngfarmers.org/policy/landaccess/ [...]

2023-09-13T11:40:39-05:00April 1st, 2016|News|0 Comments
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Midland FFA Welcomes SILT

Suzan Erem and pie maker Virginia Pace at the Midland FFA Dinner in March. SILT President Suzan Erem didn't know what was coming to her when the auctioneer for the Midland FFA pie auction called her to the front of the room. Pies and pans of cupcakes had been going for upwards of $150 and as high as $250 each. But the pie up for grabs at the moment was the largest, most beautiful cherry pie of the night. By the time the auctioneer talked Suzan into pitching, people were shouting out "$500!" and "$1,000!" and it became clear [...]

2023-10-17T10:02:24-05:00April 1st, 2016|News|0 Comments
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