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

Despite growing consumer demand, organic farmland in the US remains under 1% of total agricultural land. The main hurdle is the costly, multi-year transition process combined with the prevalence of short-term leases that discourage sustainable practices. Iroquois Valley, a real estate investment trust (REIT) founded in 2007, has developed a unique business model to tackle these challenges by providing long-term leases and financial support for organic farmers.

Long-Term Leases Enable Organic Transition

USDA organic certification mandates land remain chemical-free for at least three years before approval—a period that conflicts with typical one-year farm leases. Iroquois Valley addresses this by offering farmers six-year leases with automatic “evergreen” renewals, granting the stability required to improve soil health and operate profitably.

Christopher Zuehlsdorff, CEO, emphasizes that this model aligns with both farmers’ needs and investor interests. As a public benefit corporation and SEC-registered REIT, Iroquois Valley balances long-term land stewardship with financial returns, providing consistent performance through market cycles.

Financing Sustainable Farming Through Impact Investments

Supported by around 1,000 individual and institutional impact investors, Iroquois Valley offers equity shares and “Rooted in Regeneration” fixed-income notes. The latter targets socially disadvantaged farmers—including BIPOC growers—by funding discounted mortgages for conservation-based agriculture.

Investment sizes vary widely, from $10,000 to $9 million, and are accessible to accredited and non-accredited investors alike, expanding capital flow into sustainable farming.

Measurable Environmental and Economic Impact

Data from the past decade highlight Iroquois Valley’s ecosystem benefits across over 36,000 acres in 19 states:

• 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
• 20% increase in native bird numbers
• 95,000 tons of topsoil preserved from erosion
• $30 per acre average income increase for farmers

Such results demonstrate the profitability and resilience of organic farming supported by long-term investment.

Empowering First-Generation Farmers and Younger Generations

Approximately 65% of Iroquois Valley’s farmers are Millennials or Gen Z, many of whom are first-generation growers struggling to access land. Traditional financing often excludes them due to high down payments or ineligibility for certain loan types like VA loans.

Programs like Rooted in Regeneration have enabled farmers such as US Navy veteran Justin Butts and Adam Roberts to start or expand organic operations on multiple acres through affordable mortgages and stable leases.

Committed to Strong Organic Certification Standards

While debates continue around the role of regenerative certifications, Iroquois Valley remains firmly committed to USDA organic certification as the foundation for trust and accountability in the marketplace. CEO Zuehlsdorff notes organic standards deliver proven environmental benefits and serve as the critical baseline, with regenerative practices supplementing but not replacing organic credentials.

In summary, Iroquois Valley’s long-term leasing and investment approach addresses systemic barriers to organic farming by providing financial stability and stewardship incentives. Its model not only advances environmental sustainability but also supports new generations of farmers building regenerative food systems for the future.

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