Something to Believe In
In this interview with SILT Farm Specialist Joe Klingelhutz he explains how protecting land can take it from a commodity to a common good.
The Difference We Make – A Story of Farm Transition
Will and Adrian now have a farm of their own, with no debt, thanks to Steve's gift to SILT. Read their story here.
Foodie Fest ’19 Draws 150 Guests Plus Candidates
SILT's Second Annual Foodie Fest drew an estimated 150 people to a locally-sourced meal at Embassy Suites Nov. 21st. SILT used the occasion to celebrate its first Growing Good Award, presented by Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice of Red Fern Farm to Practical Farmers of Iowa. Speakers included Veggie Thumper Lyssa Wade, Mayor Frank Cownie and surprise guest Marianne Williamson, candidate for president. The evening included a number of video presentations of SILT farms and farmers and one landowner planning to donate an easement in 2020. SILT invited all candidates to speak at the reception, and US Senate Candidates Eddie [...]
Ron and Karlene Humpal Donate 164 Acres
Help SILT Find the Right Farmer - DONATE Today! Karlene and Ron Humpal stand in front of the 164 acres they donated to SILT in 2019. Ron and Karlene Humpal donated their 164-acre farm just five miles northwest of Decorah in 2019. SILT now protects nine farms with a total of 935 acres through agricultural conservation easements and land donations. “This is for the future,” Ron Humpal said. “It’s to help protect the watershed. And it’s one way to get back to small farming.” Ron is the founder of a small business doing contract work for a [...]
Raj Patel Draws Over 400 to Englert
Author and activist Raj Patel drew more than 425 people to The Englert Theatre Wednesday Oct. 2, despite rain storms and competing events. Guests heard the story of amazing women from Malawi and their impact on Iowa farmers they met when visiting America. Farmer Denise O'Brien, who appears in the documentary, moderated the Q and A with Mayor Jim Throgmorton and Raj Patel. Raj spent the next day visiting classes and meeting with professors at the University of Iowa before heading back to Austin. Iowa City resident Mark Weinstein won the Thanksgiving Dinner for 8 from Lucky Star Farm and [...]
SILT Showcase Day Answers Landowner Questions
Landowners wishing to leave a legacy of healthy food farming will gather Wed., Aug. 28 from 1-4 pm at E and E Blazek farm in Lawler, IA.
Raj Patel Comes to Iowa City!
Internationally-renowned author and activist Raj Patel will speak at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City, Wed. Oct. 2, 2019 during the city's Book Festival. He will spend the following day meeting with students on the University of Iowa Campus. Seats still available for walk-ins! Mr. Patel will be showing rough cuts of his new documentary on climate change, inequality and hunger created from inspirational women leaders from their villages in Malawi and brought to the US by their drive to educate Americans about what climate change is doing to their country, their people and their children. Footage of Iowa farmers [...]
Thank you Decorah!
The weather was HOT, the beer COLD and the carnitas sizzling at Decorah's first SILTFest July 19!An estimated 100 people packed into Pulpit Rock Brewery to hear Eggen and Hippen play soulful acoustics. Emcee Kayla Koether and a rock star list of speakers explained what a landscape of permanent nature-friendly food farms means to them and how we're going to get there.Former NRCS National Director Paul Johnson talked about how silt and SILT hold it all together. Land donor Lyle Luzum explained what it meant to donate his heritage farm (and for his daughter Steph to donate her inheritance). Young [...]
Greg Brown and Dave Moore Video from Spring Thaw
Greg Brown and Dave Moore gave one of their classic concerts at the iconic Mill in Iowa City March 29 to a full house, with all of the proceeds going to SILT thanks to the generosity of the musicians and event sponsor MidwestOne. We LOVE these guys! Steve and Michaela Mclain and Jimmy Ryan of The Hit Men opened the night with original ballads and a few covers, setting the tone of high quality acoustic music for the evening. Between sets, young farmers Carolyn Scherf and William Kresse told the audience about their Chestnut Hill Cooperative on Johnson County's [...]
Hennings Donate Easements on 293 acres
Beth Henning, pictured here and representing the Henning Sisters Ltd. Partnership, donated two easements on these beautiful acres in Northwest Iowa (one farm in Calhoun County and one in Greene County) to SILT this week. The partnership incurred a significant drop in the value of its land in exchange for permanent protection for sustainable food production, a drop in value that will help the next generation afford to purchase it. The farms will be in food grade, organic corn and soybeans for the foreseeable future. Help Keep This Farm Protected for Good - DONATE TODAY "We grew up with a [...]