Iroquois Valley Farmland (IQVF) facilitates the transition of conventional farmland to organic farmland.
This REIT is an organic farmland finance company that provides farmer-friendly leases and mortgages to the next generation of organic farmers. By providing long-term leases, flexible mortgages, and post-investment support to organic farmers, Iroquois Valley hopes to improve soil health, limit use of harmful and toxic pesticides, and improve profits and land security for farmers. Healthy soil prevents erosion and run off, holds water and builds drought resiliency, and produces higher yields. As a result, 100% of IQVT farms use cover crops and organic matter for fertilizing, thus improving nutrient, water, and carbon retention properties. These farms have avoided 29,000 tons of soil erosion annually. Additionally, since pesticides and herbicides are strongly linked with cancer and pollute waterways, Iroquois Valley has eliminated 8.2 million pounds of synthetic chemicals from their wheat, corn, and soybean farms. Aside from providing farmer-first leases and mortgages, this REIT ensures that farmers manage their own land and that younger farmers are also invested in to address the aging existing farmer population in the U.S. IQVF also reinvests in their farmers and aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on government subsidies. Since the founding of the REIT in 2007, they have directed $126 million in investments in organic agriculture across 20 different states.
