SILT hosted its annual Solstice SILTFest at the Sustainable Living Coalition in Fairfield in June. More than 75 people came to hear from speakers John Ikerd, Stuart Valentine and others and enjoy music by Steve McLain and Eric Hurlin. With the support of the Fairfield community, SILT was able to raise $10,000 to continue their mission of permanently protecting Iowa farmland to grow healthy food.

SILTFests are free events with live music, food and drinks, and inspirational stories from land protectors and farmers. They are designed for residents interested in actively supporting SILT’s efforts of land protection.

Fairfield was the pilot project in SILT’s Circle Our Cities initiative to protect ten farms around ten Iowa cities in ten years. SILT currently has two farms protected in Fairfield, the Sustainable Iowa Living Coalition and Anderson Prairie Farm. Thanks to previous and continued support from the Fairfield community, this March SILT was also able to hire a land scout for the area, Chelle Rossy.