Organic is a Long Game: How Iroquois Valley Supports Farmers for Sustainable Transition

Despite growing consumer demand, organic farming still covers less than 1% of U.S. farmland. Transitioning land to organic cultivation requires a costly, multi-year commitment—especially challenging given common short-term farm leases and barriers faced by first-generation farmers.

Iroquois Valley’s Farmer-Centric Model

Iroquois Valley, a real estate investment trust (REIT) and public benefit corporation founded in 2007, addresses these barriers by offering long-term land leases averaging six years with evergreen renewal options. This approach provides farmers with the stability needed to invest in soil health and complete the USDA’s 3-year organic transition period, which requires land to be free from chemical residues before certification.

CEO Christopher Zuehlsdorff explains, “By providing long-term leases, we offer farmers the runway to steward the soil, complete the organic transition, and operate profitably over the long term.”

Significant Environmental and Economic Impact

Supporting farmers across 19 states and over 36,000 acres, Iroquois Valley has directed approximately $127 million toward organic agriculture. Key impacts from their decade of data include:

• 29 million pounds of synthetic chemicals eliminated
• 100,000 metric tons of carbon sequestered
• 700 million gallons of water retained in soil
• 30% increase in wild bee populations versus conventional farms
• 95,000 tons of topsoil protected from erosion
• $30 per acre rise in farmer revenue

These statistics underscore the tangible environmental benefits and enhanced economic resilience of their model.

Investing in Next-Gen and Disadvantaged Farmers

About 65% of Iroquois Valley’s farmers are Millennials or Gen Z, many being first-generation growers facing land access challenges. Traditional loans and short-term leases often exclude them. Through “Rooted in Regeneration Notes,” an investment product focused on socially disadvantaged groups including BIPOC farmers, the REIT provides discounted mortgages and coaching to enable entry into organic farming.

Examples like Navy veteran Justin Butts, who now operates 100+ acres of organic livestock in New York, demonstrate the program’s accessibility and impact.

Commitment to Organic Certification

While regenerative practices gain interest, Iroquois Valley remains firmly committed to organic certification as the essential, USDA-backed standard ensuring accountability, environmental benefits, and market trust. Zuehlsdorff notes, “Organic certification remains the essential, proven standard that anchors the industry.”

Investor Participation

Around 1,000 impact-driven individual and institutional investors support Iroquois Valley through REIT equity shares (starting at $10,000) or fixed-income Regeneration Notes. The company aligns long-term stewardship with consistent financial returns, promoting a sustainable, profitable organic agriculture sector.

Conclusion: Iroquois Valley exemplifies a patient, impact-first approach to organic farming investment. By solving systemic barriers around land access and leasing terms, they empower new farmers to steward the land sustainably, strengthen food systems, and generate measurable environmental and economic benefits.

Sources: AgFunder News, Iroquois Valley

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