SILT Protects First Farm in Fairfield!

9/3/2021

Anderson Prairie Farm Donated to SILT

Under the canopy of the river birch grove, looking out over a lake and 35 acres of rolling landscape, Sara and Jim Anderson of Fairfield signed over the deed to their land and home to the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust on September 1, 2021.

The gift keeps the Andersons in control of their land until they no longer wish to live there. This is an ideal arrangement for SILT and for the couple. They plan to build a modest guesthouse and a produce shop with a passive solar greenhouse on the south side, more gifts to a future farmer for that land!

Sara and Jim are eager to find a beginning farmer to practice regenerative agriculture on this property. There are no separate living quarters, but rentals nearby in Fairfield are available and seasonal camping on the land is an option.

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The land is largely in prairie now with some fruit, nut, berry and vegetable production. It’s possible to expand this to grain and legume production as well as silvopasture.

SILT can assist in formalizing the arrangement between the farmer and the Andersons upon request, but all queries should go directly to them at jcgrowerscoop@gmail.com.

Pictured above from left: Executive Director of the Sustainable Living Coalition Bob Ferguson, Sara Anderson, SILT Farm Specialist Joe Klingelhutz, Jim Anderson.

Showcase and SILTFest Sept. 17th!

10 am, Sept. 17 - Landowners Only
See a SILT farm in action, get information about income tax incentives for protecting your land and how appraisals work. Get handouts to take to your tax and legal advisors. Be inspired to protect your land for future nature-friendly food farmers by hearing stories about those who've already done it.

RSVP to Farm Specialist Joe Klingelhutz.

6 pm - 9 pm, Sept. 17 - All Invited!
Celebrate with our hosts Sara and Jim Anderson, hear their story and that of young farmers seeking land. Be inspired! Enjoy live music by local favorites Steve and Michaela Mclain featuring Eric Hurlin!

This event is outdoors and free. Bring your chairs or a blanket for sitting on the grass. Masks are strongly encouraged. Social distancing required. Light appetizers and drink will be served. Program at 7 pm. RSVP. RAIN DATE SEPT. 24

Help Decorah SILTFest Go Virtual

The COVID surge is making us cancel our plans at The Landing Market in Decorah. Our Northeast Iowa supporters will be receiving a few reminder emails this coming week to help meet our goal of $8,000 like we did 2 years ago! Please help kick this campaign off!

SILTFests are SILT's way of maintaining grassroots, independent support for the work we do.

Didn't get Lyle Luzum's email? Read it here.

Cherish the Memories from 2019 SILTFest Decorah!
Farmer Andy Boone, Land Donor Lyle Luzum and our beloved Paul Johnson
(with a cameo from a celebrity friend from another SILTFest!)

Watch the Video

Community Corn Harvest Draws Over 1,500!

The first-ever Community Corn Harvest at Dows Farm drew more than 1,500 people over 11 days and fed more than a thousand more families thanks to Linn County partners Olivet Mission, Feed Iowa First and North Linn FFA. Other partners include Linn County Farm Bureau and its Ag in the Classroom program which educated young people about the history of corn and New Pioneer Co-op which provided snacks.

Mugisha Bwenge, pictured at left, of United We March Forward brought vanloads of helpers to pick corn.

Ahmann Design is expected to break ground on this agri-community this fall. The project has been delayed by Covid and the derecho.