SILT is an Iowa non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Iowa land to grow healthy food forever. The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) was founded by 25 of the most respected leaders in food and agriculture, planning, and development. These leaders met to save and protect small, diverse, and clean farms that feed Iowans. Iowa imports nearly 90 percent of its food while exporting nearly eve
rything we grow, leaving us stuck with the waste. Hog manure, poor soil fertility, limited and polluted water supply, and rancid air harm urban and rural communities alike. SILT works to promote economic independence among the Iowa workforce while protecting the environment that feeds us. Our Mission: To permanently protect Iowa land to grow nature-friendly table food. Our Vision: An Iowa sustained by wholesome food grown on community-based farms. Our model takes land speculation and mortgage interest out of the equation for future healthy food farmers. The results of our work include providing affordable land access to farms near markets for our fruit and vegetable farmers. Through donations, land grants, buying land for sale, and more, we are actively protecting Iowa farmland and the families who care for it. This takes us closer and closer to a secure, healthy food production system for the future, more fresh food in our communities, clean water, fresh air, and healthy soils. While the local food movement grows in Iowa, the source of that food is in danger.
- Iowa is losing 25 acres of farmland each day to development – precisely the land our market farmers need.
- Every year, we allow up to 5 tons of topsoil per acre to blow or wash away.
- Iowa suffers some of the worst water quality in the country. We are the No. 1 contributor to the algae bloom in the Gulf of Mexico.
- We import more than 90 percent of our food from out of state.
- More than 90 percent of our fruit and nut production and nearly 80 percent of our vegetable production in the country happens in counties threatened by development
- Iowa’s volatile land prices are driving young people away from their dream of becoming fruit and vegetable farmers. Our natural environment has taught us that diversity builds resilience. The leaders of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust believe we can build more resilient Iowa communities through diversity in our farming landscape, our economy, and our food supply.
