Organic Farming: A Long-Term Commitment Backed by Iroquois Valley

The Challenge: Organic Farmland is Scarce in the US

Despite growing consumer demand, organic agriculture covers less than 1% of US farmland. This is largely due to the costly, multi-year transition farmers face to meet USDA organic certification requirements, including a mandatory three-year chemical-free period before certification. Furthermore, the prevalence of short-term land leases—often just one year—creates uncertainty that hampers investments in sustainable, regenerative farming practices.

Iroquois Valley’s Innovative Model: Farmer-Friendly, Long-Term Leasing

Founded in 2007, Iroquois Valley, a real estate investment trust (REIT), tackles these barriers by providing multi-year leases averaging six years, with automatic renewal options. This model offers farmers the stability needed to rebuild soil health, complete organic transitions, and operate profitably over time.

“Our evergreen leases give farmers the runway to steward the soil and manage the land for the long term,” says CEO Christopher Zuehlsdorff.

As a public benefit corporation, Iroquois Valley aligns environmental stewardship with investor returns, fostering resilience across agricultural market cycles.

Investment Opportunities and Social Impact

Supported by about 1,000 impact-driven investors, Iroquois Valley offers REIT equity shares ranging from $10,000 to $9 million, accessible to accredited and non-accredited investors alike. Additionally, their Rooted in Regeneration Notes provide fixed-income investments specifically funding discounted mortgages for socially disadvantaged farmers, including BIPOC growers practicing conservation-based agriculture.

Measurable Environmental Benefits Over a Decade

Iroquois Valley’s organic farming practices have delivered significant environmental outcomes across 36,000+ acres in 19 states:

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

These metrics demonstrate the tangible benefits of long-term organic land stewardship for ecosystems and farm economics.

Empowering New Generations of Farmers

Notably, around 65% of Iroquois Valley’s farmers are millennials or Gen Z, many of whom are first-generation growers facing barriers in land access and financing. Traditional loans and down payments often exclude these emerging farmers. By offering long-term leases and targeted financial products, Iroquois Valley helps talents like US Navy veteran Justin Butts and organic grain specialist Adam Roberts secure farmland and scale sustainable operations.

Commitment to Organic Certification and Beyond

Zuehlsdorff underscores that organic certification remains a cornerstone of market trust and environmental accountability. While many farmers adopt complementary regenerative practices, organic standards provide a legally enforceable and nationally recognized framework ensuring consistent benefits, including enhanced soil health, cleaner water, and biodiversity gains.

“Organic certification anchors the industry and delivers proven ecological outcomes,” he states.

Conclusion: Investing in a Sustainable Future

Iroquois Valley exemplifies a pragmatic, impact-oriented approach to expanding organic agriculture in the US by aligning long-term land tenure with financial viability and social equity. Their model offers a replicable blueprint for investors and policymakers aiming to grow resilient, regenerative farming systems that benefit farmers, consumers, and the planet alike.

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