Organic Farming: A Long-Term Investment Strategy by Iroquois Valley

Despite growing consumer demand, organic farmland comprises less than 1% of the U.S. agricultural land. The primary hurdles are the costly and time-intensive transition to organic methods and limited land access, especially for younger farmers and those on short-term leases.

Iroquois Valley’s Solution: Farmer-Friendly Mortgages and Long-Term Leases

Founded in 2007, Iroquois Valley is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on enabling sustainable organic farming at scale. Key elements of their approach include:

• Long-Term Leases: Farmers receive leases averaging six years with renewable “evergreen” options, contrasting sharply with typical one-year leases. This stability allows farmers to rebuild soil health, complete organic certification (which requires chemical-free land for three years), and operate profitably over time.
• Farmer-Centric Investing: As a public benefit corporation and SEC-registered REIT, Iroquois Valley balances financial returns with ecological stewardship.
• Capital Deployment: Over $127 million invested, helping transition more than 36,000 acres to organic farming across 19 states.

Supporting Next-Generation and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

Approximately 65% of Iroquois Valley’s farmers are millennials or Gen Z, many being first-generation agriculturalists. Recognizing land access as a significant barrier, the company supports farmers through:

• Rooted in Regeneration Notes: Fixed-income investments designed to fund discounted mortgages for socially disadvantaged farmers, including BIPOC growers, enabling conservation-focused organic farming.
• Accessible Investment Options: REIT equity shares are available from $10,000 to $9 million for both accredited and non-accredited investors.

Farmers like Justin Butts (a U.S. Navy veteran) have leveraged these programs to establish organic livestock operations despite traditional financing obstacles.

Environmental and Economic Impact by the Numbers

Iroquois Valley published data highlighting the decade-long impact of organic practices on its lands:

• 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 compared to conventional farms
• 20% increase in native bird numbers
• 95,000 tons of topsoil preserved
• $30 per acre increase in farmer earnings on average

CEO Christopher Zuehlsdorff emphasizes that success is measured through farmer retention, resilience, and consistent returns, focusing particularly on scalable impacts in Midwest row-crop farming.

Commitment to Organic Certification as a Foundation

While debates continue about the proliferation of regenerative and alternative certifications, Iroquois Valley remains committed to USDA organic certification due to its:

• Nationwide legal enforceability
• Accountability that builds market trust
• Proven environmental benefits—improving soil, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon capture

Many farmers adopt additional regenerative practices, but organic certification remains the essential and credible baseline for the industry’s future.

In summary, Iroquois Valley exemplifies a sustainable, long-term investment model that aligns financial and ecological goals by providing stable land access to organic farmers, especially newcomers and underserved groups. This approach fosters environmental stewardship while delivering consistent investor returns, supporting the growth of organic agriculture in the U.S. over the years ahead.

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