By: Genie Maybanks, SILT Corporate Relations Specialist
To all the member/owners and shoppers of Oneota,
We at the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) would like to extend our sincere thanks to you for supporting us in your October “Round-up at the Registers” drive!
Your generosity brought a check for $924.89 to our home-grown land trust. This money matters to us all, as it is an investment in Iowa’s future.
SILT’s mission is to permanently protect farmland for
generations to come. While there are many non-profits working towards linking the food system, ours is different. SILT ensures that land access remains affordable for farmers who grow food crops for stores like Oneota and tables like yours– for good.
With the generous support of people like Oneota member/owners Lyle Luzum, Sue Luzum and family, Ron and Karlene Humpal, and Steve Beaumont, SILT has already protected three farms in the Decorah area! It is our goal to circle Iowa’s cities with community based food farms to feed our communities.
This year, because of the generous support of people like you who believe in the possibility of a fresh sustainable future, we have been building momentum and have been able to:
- Protect three new farms under the SILT model, bringing SILT’s total to well over 1,000 acres
- Be chosen to manage Iowa’s first land trust agri-community – the 45 acre Dows Farm in Linn County near Cedar Rapids
- Publish a Landowners Guide to Sustainable Food Crops and distribute it statewide.
- Perform 25 free land consultations and reports.
If you are a fan of local food, SILT is working on your behalf to ensure a solid foundation.
If you have a farm and are curious about what foods will grow best in your soils, we offer free land walks to help farmers diversify their production and build profits. Simply reach out to joe@silt.org for a consultation.
If you have a farm and you want to protect it from development, or pay it forward to the next generation, we are here to answer your questions.
If you just love good food and want to invest in a green and sustainable future, we appreciate your support.
Click the following link to view a message from our Board President about the SILT model. https://youtu.be/3El-
We hope to see you again soon at SILT Fest when we are able to gather again and celebrate the accomplishments and difference you are helping create.
In Cooperation and Appreciation,
Genie Maybanks
Corporate Relations Specialist
Explore all the possibilities of SILT at https://silt.org/silt-farms/
Pictured are Andy Boone, Co-op Staff Member and Lyle Luzum, Co-op Member/owner and SILT farm donor.
