Sustainable Iowa Land Trust receives $50,000.00 grant to support sustainable agriculture
Funds will be used to perform a needs-based assessment on Iowa’s small sustainable farms

West Branch, IA —The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) is the recipient of a $50,000.00
grant from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education Partnership
(SARE). The grant program is intended to foster cooperation between agriculture professionals and small groups of farmers and ranchers to produce on-farm research, demonstration, and education activities related to sustainable agriculture. Funds will be used to perform a needs-based assessment on Iowa’s under-studied small farm to table farms.

“The need is dire. Many of Iowa’s small, sustainable farmers aren’t able to sell at a profit. We can help remedy this by acquiring information from farmers and sharing solutions. This project is innovative because it leverages the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust’s diverse network of trusted farmers. We are committed to supporting sustainable food production in Iowa and this grant will help us achieve that goal,” said Breanna Horsey, Executive Director of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust.

In year one, four Sustainable Iowa Land Trust farmers in Iowa will thoroughly document a full growing season, including profits, losses, and challenges regarding growing, harvesting, marketing, farmers’ markets, processing, wholesale, equipment, certifications, storage, and preservation. Farmers will fill out surveys at the beginning of the project and at months one, six, and twelve to reflect on what they learn.

In year two, using farmer-provided data, the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust will determine what skills, practices, and knowledge their farmers are lacking and create materials that fill those gaps. Results will include new educational information, training sessions, and a published white paper. Data will also guide the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust in shaping future partnerships. Farmers will stay engaged by participating in an outreach initiative during year two.

The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust is a nonprofit organization protecting affordable farmland in Iowa near markets for food farmers to secure a healthy food system for future generations, fresh food in communities, clean air and water and healthy soils. They have protected 16 farms totaling 1,200 acres across Iowa. Learn more at https://silt.org/ or call (319) 800-8108.