SILT Acquires its First Farm!
We've only existed for 5 months, yet today SILT announces that we've acquired our first farm - 53 acres of tillable and oak savanna just 15 minutes from downtown Omaha!
How Iowa City Eats Its Farmland
Iowa City is just one example of how our metro areas are paving over good land that could grow healthy food. Family businesses like small engine repair, 5 and Dime stores, smaller versions of Thiesen's - these all disappeared as these houses were planted in their place.
The Story of SILT
Out of more than 100 applicants only 21 were permitted to present at the Slow Money National Gathering in Kentucky, 2014. SILT was there...and we won. See founder Suzan Erem's 6-minute presentation that brought national attention, and hope, for healthy food production in Iowa.
SILT Message Spreads Across Iowa
This Des Moines Register story leads with Mary Ellen Miller's moving testimony to SILT she gave at the press conference. WHO-TV coverage and radio across the state has put SILT on the minds of Iowans from Sioux City to Muscatine.
Presentation to Johnson County Food Policy Council
SILT introduced itself to a gathering of nearly 100 Johnson County residents in February. Residents assembled for the day to discuss the future of the local "poor farm" including its potential to grow healthy food for the community. SILT President Suzan Erem was invited to address the group during the first public comment period, right after State Rep. Mary Mascher discussed her work with a local food bill working its way through the state legislature. Suzan's presentation starts at 23:30 on the Public Comment video. Thanks City Government Channel for allowing us to share!
Legislators Call for Farmland Preservation Study Group
Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom and Republican Rep. Bobby Kaufmann called for Iowa to "begin the conversation" about farmland preservation at a capitol press briefing Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Landowners finding SILT a solution
The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust made its debut in front of hundreds of farmers and landowners Jan. 23 and 24 at the Practical Farmers of Iowa annual conference. The response was astounding!
SILT’s friends and allies spread the word
Farmers, leaders, friends converge to tell media why SILT matters Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 28, 2015: Television, newspapers and radio along with supporters filled the space at Gateway Market this morning to hear about the new Sustainable Iowa Land Trust created to protect land to grow healthy food. SILT President Suzan Erem and West Des Moines City Manager Tom Hadden show a map of SILT projects already begun around the state. They heard from local farmers Larry Cleverly and Jason Clasen, West Des Moines City Manager Tom Hadden, developer Joe Pietruszynski of Hubbell Realty Co., Mary Ellen Miller, SILT's first farmland donor, [...]
SILT wins $20,000 from Slow Money
The Slow Money National Gathering in November 2014 offered the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust an opportunity to speak to more than 800 investors, entrepreneurs and other Slow Money fans about our vision for the future of Iowa. In Slow Money's "Beetcoin" campaign, attendees voted for SILT to receive a 3-year, $20,000 interest-free loan, an endorsement from people across the country that our work is vital to the future of agriculture. Here's the full one-hour panel discussion, including the SILT presentation and the question and answer period that followed.