We're thrilled to introduce you to Ethan and Carly Zierke, the newest farmers to join the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) family. Together, they are the co-owners of Sweet Season Farm, and they bring their passion for organic agriculture and sustainable farming practices to their new farm. They are the newest tenants of Luzum Heritage Farm. Let's get to know Ethan and Carly a little better: Ethan, originally from Iowa City, Iowa, and Carly, hailing from Marquette, Iowa, are on a mission to cultivate 30 different types of certified organic vegetables. They supply their produce through various channels, including [...]

The Nut Farm in Ottumwa was founded by Kent and Leisa Walker as an opportunity for their son Sam and other clients of a local special needs nonprofit to get their hands in the dirt. The 60-acre farm, located on the outskirts of Ottumwa just 30 minutes from Fairfield, includes an elegant tiny home, a large heated shed with a saloon on the second floor and smaller sheds nearby. Kent and his family, along with caretaker Daryle Kaiser, a local John Deere employee, have planted nearly 5 acres in paw paws and chestnuts and many more acres are in prairie [...]

SILT received the deed to a breathtaking acreage just a half hour east of Cedar Rapids in 2022. Donated by Gary Hart and Derith Vogt, the 10 acres includes a lovingly renovated farmhouse and a slew of outbuildings from Derith's long career showing horses. While SILT will make every attempt to keep this farm in sustainable table food production after Gary and Derith give over all rights in the future, they have generously granted SILT permission to sell this amazing property at top value if surrounding uses no longer make such farming possible due to its size. Such flexibility [...]

A first-ever poetry anthology of land trust farms across the country features five SILT farms and poets assembled by Iowa Poet Laureate Mary Swander. Writing the Land: Foodways and Social Justice is a sustainable-food-production-and-art-themed anthology that brings together poets and land protection and anti-hunger organizations from across the US. Poems, essays, and Information about the missions of these parters for foodways and social justice are included in this unique book. Peek Inside, Videos and More "There are those who think the only way to hold land is to own it. Give this book to them. There are those [...]

Red Fern Farm, a SILT-protected property in Wapello, IA, drew about two dozen guests on one of the hottest September days on record, hovering around 100 degrees all day. The guests came to see the many chestnut and pawpaw trees that Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice have grown over the last 30 years, purchase fruits and nuts they could pick themselves, witness a cooking demonstration of persimmon brownies and learn more about how to protect land like Red Fern Farm. The project was supported by a Small Farm Summers grant SILT won from the Agricultural Marketing Service of the [...]

The SILT Farmer Committee and Board are pleased to announce the newest farmers for Luzum Heritage Farm, SILT's 170-acre span of pasture, prairie, trees and hoop houses located just south of Decorah in Northeast Iowa. Carly McAndrews and Bryant Mann are two best friends who have been farming together for four years. They have a combined 13 seasons of experience working on small-scale, diversified vegetable farms. Carly has worked on farms in Vermont, Connecticut, California, and Iowa. Bryant got his start growing produce for donation under the mentorship of Sonia Kendrick at the non-profit Feed Iowa First in Cedar [...]