Several studies of fruits, vegetables and grains have suggested a decline in nutritional value over time. According to research, this decline is due to factor such as selected varieties (trade-off between yield and nutritional value), soil depletion, changes in farming methods, including the extensive use of chemical fertilizers, as well as food processing and preparation. SILT farmers use practices that guarantee soil health and provide nutritious foods. Read more here: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/science/a-decline-in-the-nutritional-value-of-crops.html?ref=topics&_r=0

The 2014 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey results released earlier this month underline the challenge for beginning farmers to have access to land. A tenth of the 911 million U.S. farmland acres outside of Alaska and Hawaii is slated for ownership transfer in the next five years, not including farmland that is in or is expected to be put into wills. Landlords expect to keep or put nearly 48 percent of these acres in trusts. This means that only a small percentage of farmland will be available for new entrants into the farming sector over the [...]

A group called Seedstock contacted SILT not too long ago and asked for an interview. We want to thank them for this great coverage, helping us reach beyond state lines to tell our story, including our acquisition of the Driscoll farm, now dubbed the Loess Hills Young People's Farm. If you know media or nonprofits in other parts of the country that can help tell the SILT story, please send them to this site or to info@silt.org. We'll be happy to talk with them.

This poem was posted at a TED blog. We thank them for sharing, and we share it here as an expression of how we see our work at SILT. Tomorrow’s Child © Glenn Thomas Without a name; an unseen face and knowing not your time nor place Tomorrow’s Child, though yet unborn, I met you first last Tuesday morn. A wise friend introduced us two, and through his sobering point of view I saw a day that you would see; a day for you, but not for me Knowing you has changed my thinking, for I never had an inkling [...]

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.

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!