In this weeks “Map of the Week” by the state Legislative Service Agency, Certified Organic Operations were geo-mapped by County (by Crop, Livestock, and Handling/Processing).  Iowa is a real hotbed of organic crops, processing, and livestock. Check it out here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/MOW/794228.pdf The number of organic operations has increased by 47% from 2011 to 2016 (71% increase nation-wide). This trend towards sustainable practices needs to keep growing! Iowa suffers some of the worst water quality in the country. We are among the top contributing states to the algae bloom in the Gulf of Mexico. Join SILT in building more resilient Iowa communities through diversity in [...]

According to a U.S. Geological Survey report published today in the Journal of Environmental Quality, drought periods followed by rainfall caused nitrate levels to increase to the highest ever measured in some Midwest streams during a 2013. “The highest nitrate concentrations in 2013 were in streams in Iowa, closely followed by southern Minnesota and central Illinois,” said Peter Van Metre, a USGS hydrologist and the lead author of the study. “Drought conditions in 2012 allowed excess nitrogen to build up in the soils until spring rains in 2013 flushed the nitrate into streams, leading to unusually high levels.” SILT is [...]

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 [...]

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/

"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.