Monthly Archives: May 2016

Study finds organic crops boost local economies

According to a Penn State University study released last week, the production of organic foods helps lower poverty and increase household incomes in rural America. Read the full report here: https://www.ota.com/hotspots SILT also believes we can build more resilient Iowa communities through diversity in our farming landscape, our economy and our food supply. If you share our concern, please contact us today about how you can help turn the tide in Iowa.

2024-02-08T11:39:41-06:00May 31st, 2016|News|0 Comments

Loess Hill Prairie Seminar

Please come support a great event celebrating a big milestone and learn how nature and farming can work in harmony. Registration is free! Join SILT for the 40th Annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar: Presentation1_439C6C0DBCED2 "Fascinations of the Loess Hills: Celebrating Forty Years of Nature in Western Iowa" June 3 (evening) to June 5 (noon) West Monona High School – 1314 15th Street, Onawa These seminars were founded to foster recognition, appreciation and the educational use of those natural wonders found within eyesight in our communities. Suzan Erem, SILT founder and president will be giving a talk on what nature-friendly farming and [...]

2023-10-17T09:03:31-05:00May 31st, 2016|News|0 Comments

Best practices for a sustainable and equitable food system

According to the Center for American Progress, training and providing land for young farmers to produce food sustainably is a best practice for creating a sustainable and equitable food system. The Center also calls for land use or zoning ordinances that can  “allow healthy food to be grown and sold in communities, allocate public space for community food-growing initiatives such as community gardens, and permit farmers markets in more locations.” SILT's mission is to protect our farms to grow healthy food forever. Learn SILT does this using best practices: https://silt.org/solution/plan-so-far/ https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/report/2016/05/12/137306/best-practices-for-creating-a-sustainable-and-equitable-food-system-in-the-united-states/

2023-07-21T09:56:46-05:00May 27th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Organic industry is booming

"America’s organic industry is booming, creating important opportunities for farmers and ranchers and adding to the vibrancy of rural America." wrote U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The government is increasingly investing in organic agriculture through research, grants and loans. Read more here: https://www.morningagclips.com/vilsack-on-organic-trade-assn-report/?utm_content=articles&utm_campaign=NLCampaign&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_term=newsletteredition&utm_medium=email More needs to be done, particularly around land access for beginning and aspiring farmers who want to grow healthy food. SILT  seeks land and easement donations from Iowa landowners dedicated to protecting land to grow healthy food and provide opportunity to our next generation of farmers.

2023-11-07T13:35:00-06:00May 25th, 2016|News|0 Comments

Tools to involve funders in food system work

A new tool entitled What’s the Big Deal? Assessing and Financing Regional Food Enterprises,  will help funders and investors better understand and assess regional food businesses. The goal is to see even more funders take a seat at the local foods table— including credit unions, equity investors, foundations, impact investors and angel investors. "Since 2009, USDA has invested over $1 billion in local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects, in support of the vision of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who describes Local and Regional Food Systems as one of the four pillars of Agricultural and Rural Economic Development. Now we’re working to [...]

2023-07-21T09:44:49-05:00May 13th, 2016|News|0 Comments
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