Suzan Erem, left, talks with farmland owner Shami Morse about what SILT can do to create more opportunities for beginning farmers and a diversity of agriculture in Iowa.

The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust made its debut in front of hundreds of farmers and landowners Jan. 23 and 24 at the Practical Farmers of Iowa annual conference. The response was astounding!

President Suzan Erem and board member Paul Durrenberger held non-stop conversations at the exhibit table generously donated by SILT adviser Harn Soper, SFP LLP, and conveniently located next to SILT Treasurer Kathy Dice and Adviser Tom Wahl, Red Fern Farm.

The first visitor of the day was Liz Garst who got an earful about SILT and was rumored to have sent a person or two our way in the course of the day. Others stopping by included Leopold Center’s Matt Liebman, landowner Shami Morse, farmer Laura Krouse and Center for Rural Affairs staffer Stephanie Enloe, recently relocated to Dubuque.

Board member Paul Durrenberger held down the fort at the SILT exhibit, showing off our new website, handing out brochures and taking names.

At dinner, SILT advisers Jan and Neal Flora made sure SILT connected with Paul Willis, owner of Niman Ranch. During a discussion of Map of My Kingdom, Iowa Poet Laureate and SILT adviser Mary Swander offered SILT as a new tool for landowners and farmers planning their estates, and gave Suzan the floor to explain the group, causing a flurry of conversations after the session. SILT adviser Fred Kirschenmann made sure FSA Director John Whitaker knew SILT was in the house as well.

On Wed. Jan. 28 SILT officially launches with its Des Moines and Statewide Press Conference starting at Gateway Market in Des Moines, 10 a.m. All welcomed to attend!