Organic Farming is a Long-Term Commitment: How Iroquois Valley Supports Sustainable Agriculture

Despite growing consumer demand for organic foods, less than 1% of U.S. farmland is certified organic. A primary barrier is the costly and time-intensive transition process—requiring at least three years free of chemical residues before USDA certification is possible. Compounding this challenge, short-term land leases (often just one year) discourage farmers from investing in regenerative practices.

Iroquois Valley’s Mission: Long-Term, Farmer-Centric Investment

Since 2007, Iroquois Valley, a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on sustainable agriculture, has pioneered a solution: long-term, renewable leases averaging six years. This approach gives farmers the security needed to rebuild soil health, transition to organic certification, and operate profitably. CEO Christopher Zuehlsdorff explains that this model aligns farmers’ stewardship goals with investors’ interests by balancing environmental impact and consistent financial returns over market cycles.

Impact and Investment Opportunities

Iroquois Valley has invested approximately $127 million to help transition over 36,000 acres across 19 states to organic farming. Its network of around 1,000 impact-driven investors participate via:

• REIT equity shares (ranging from $10,000 to $9 million, open to accredited and non-accredited investors)
• “Rooted in Regeneration Notes”, fixed-income products supporting socially disadvantaged farmers (including BIPOC growers) through discounted mortgages.

Measurable Environmental Benefits

Data released by Iroquois Valley highlights significant ecological gains from organic farming practices on their leased lands:

• 29 million pounds of synthetic chemicals eliminated
• 100,000 metric tons of atmospheric carbon sequestered
• 700 million gallons of water retained in soil
• 30% increase in wild bee populations
• 20% rise in native bird numbers
• 95,000 tons of topsoil preserved from erosion
• $30 per acre increase in farmer earnings

Empowering New Generations of Farmers

About 65% of Iroquois Valley’s farmers are millennials or Gen Z, many being first-generation operators facing land access barriers. Examples include:

• Justin Butts, a U.S. Navy veteran and organic livestock producer in New York, who leveraged discounted mortgages via the Rooted in Regeneration program.
• Adam Roberts, an experienced organic grain farmer from Illinois, who secured long-term leasing support despite never owning farmland.

Commitment to Organic Certification as a Foundation

While regenerative practices gain attention, Iroquois Valley remains steadfast in upholding USDA organic certification for its legal enforceability, market trust, and proven environmental benefits such as improved soil health and biodiversity. CEO Zuehlsdorff emphasizes that regenerative certifications complement but do not replace the organic baseline.

In summary, Iroquois Valley exemplifies how patient capital, aligned lease structures, and inclusive investment can accelerate organic farm transitions—cultivating ecological resilience, supporting first-gen farmers, and delivering sustainable returns.

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