While working for SILT over the past seven years, I have had the pleasure of working on deeply meaningful projects that will have an impact on Iowa and its community for decades to come. SILT’s mission is long term. We are working with landowners now to provide land access opportunities for food farmers in the future. It has been inspiring to meet and work with landowners who are willing to think into the future and try something that goes against the grain of usual farm succession in our country. Landowners with the means to donate their land to SILT [...]

Oneota Co-op is a 51-year old food cooperative located in downtown Decorah. This community-owner grocer champions local, organic, sustainable and natural foods, supplements and gift items. Twenty-six percent of the Co-op’s annual sales are generated by vendors located within 100 miles of Decorah. The Co-op prioritizes supporting these farms and family businesses while simultaneously providing seasonal vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, seeds, plants, and shelf-stable grocery items to its shoppers. Sweet Season Farm of Calmar (a SILT farm) is one of the Co-op’s many local vendors. Building vibrant communities and ecosystems is central to the Oneota Co-op mission. The Co-op’s [...]

Story County Supports Farmland Preservation Initiative Story County Board of Supervisors Approves Resolution of Support for Circle Our Cities Initiative West Branch, IA — The Story County Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution in support of the Circle Our Cities initiative from the nonprofit Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT). This initiative will help landowners permanently preserve working farms to provide local access to healthy foods, protect clean water, healthy soils, and wildlife, and increase land access for new and underrepresented farmers. "We are thrilled to see Story County join the Circle Our Cities campaign, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable agriculture [...]

(May 6, 2024) - Jennifer Beltran with Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) in West Branch, IA, was awarded $50,000 for the project, "Insight into Action: A Needs-Based Assessment of Four Sustainable Farms in Iowa." "We will perform a needs-based assessment of four sustainable farms in Iowa, conduct actionable research based on data, and create tailored educational materials and training sessions that address vulnerabilities, challenges, and opportunities for small, sustainable farmers," said Beltran. This grant was awarded as part of NCR-SARE's 2024 Partnership Grant Program. The Partnership Grant Program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups [...]