In December 2014, a group of Iowa farmers, landowners, and experts came together at Hotel Pattee in Perry, IA, to answer one big question: How can we protect our farms so they can grow food for generations to come?

They knew that solving this problem would help with many others, including:

• Helping new farmers find land
• Keeping local farms strong
• Supporting family farms
• Strengthening small towns
• Preparing for changes in land ownership
• Making sure communities have enough food
• Protecting good farmland from being built over

Why “SILT?” Because when silt stays on the land, it helps grow great food. But when it washes or blows away, it ends up in rivers and lakes where it causes problems. SILT is a name that makes farmers nod and gets people talking—and that’s where the real work begins!

The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) launched by 25 of the most respected leaders in sustainable agriculture, planning and development met to save and protect small, diverse, clean farms that feed Iowans. We are dedicated to permanently protecting land to grow healthy food for generations to come.

Our Founders spent a weekend in Perry, IA soaking up research and deciding whether or not to go forward. They were:

Our model takes land speculation and mortgage interest out of the equation for future healthy food farmers. The results of our work include affordable farmland near markets for our food farmers, and therefore a secure, healthy food system for the future, more fresh food in our community, clean water, fresh air and healthy soils.

Contact us today if you’d like to join a board committee or the leadership team.