Organic Farming Requires Long-Term Commitment, Says Iroquois Valley

Organic farmland in the US remains less than 1% of total agricultural land, primarily due to the costly, lengthy process of transitioning to organic practices. Established farmers face hurdles such as short-term land leases, while new, younger farmers struggle with land access.

Iroquois Valley’s Mission: Supporting Farmers with Long-Term Solutions

Since 2007, Iroquois Valley, a real estate investment trust (REIT), has focused on “farmer-friendly mortgages”—providing long-term leases (typically six years with renewable options) to support soil health restoration and USDA organic certification requirements, which mandate three chemical-free transition years.

CEO Christopher Zuehlsdorff emphasizes that long-term leases give farmers stability to profitably and sustainably manage the land, aligning economic returns with environmental stewardship. The REIT model appeals to both farmers and investors, featuring an evergreen approach that balances financial performance with commitment to organic land viability.

Investment Opportunities and Social Impact

Iroquois Valley attracts around 1,000 individual and institutional impact investors through REIT equity shares and “Rooted in Regeneration Notes.” The latter supports socially disadvantaged farmers (including BIPOC growers) with discounted mortgages, encouraging conservation-based agriculture.

• REIT investments range from $10,000 to $9 million, open to accredited and non-accredited investors.
• Rooted in Regeneration Notes fund fixed-income investments to support farmers on the transition path.

Impact Data from a Decade of Organic Farming

Iroquois Valley recently published results of its organic farming impact over ten years:

• 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 vs. conventional farming
• 20% increase in native bird species
• 95,000 tons of topsoil preserved from erosion
• $30 increase in annual farmer income per acre

This data underscores organic farming’s environmental and economic benefits.

Supporting First-Generation and Young Farmers

About 65% of Iroquois Valley’s farmers are millennials or Gen Z, many new to land ownership. Access to land is the largest barrier.

• Illinois farmer Adam Roberts notes the difficulty of convincing landowners to entrust their multi-million-dollar assets.
• US Navy veteran Justin Butts leveraged the Rooted in Regeneration program to start organic livestock farming on 100+ acres in New York, overcoming finance and loan barriers.

Commitment to Organic Certification

Zuehlsdorff strongly supports USDA organic certification as a credible, nationally recognized standard that fosters market trust and delivers proven environmental benefits like soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

While many farmers adopt additional regenerative practices, Iroquois Valley views organic certification as the essential framework anchoring impact and accountability in sustainable agriculture.

In summary, Iroquois Valley demonstrates that investing in organic farming is a long-term endeavor requiring stable land tenure, patient capital, and commitment to trusted certification standards. Its innovative REIT model empowers farmers—especially younger, first-generation growers—to transition land sustainably, delivering measurable environmental benefits alongside viable financial returns.

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