Year: 2020

Flour Shortage? Amber Waves of Regional Grains to the Rescue

Written by Lacey Benz on April 23, 2020. Posted in What We're Reading.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been highly visible in the food system. Amy Halloran writes on the grain economy in her latest for Civil Eats, highlighting the role of small and regional mills in supplying flour during this crisis. The article includes a mention of Iroquois Valley-financed farmers, John & Halee Wepking, who farm at Meadowlark Organics. Key quote: “Outside of this industrial baking complex, there exists a world of farmer-cultivated grain systems that not...

Support Our Farmers by Shopping Online

Written by Lacey Benz on March 24, 2020. Posted in Events.

Coronavirus is growing in the United States and across the world, creating a collective experience of uncertainty and apprehension as well as increased appreciation for our local farmers. As we move through this together, we want to highlight our farmers that offer direct sales through online stores. We hope that during these difficult times you find comfort in good food. ORGANIC FLOURS, SPECIALTY GRAINS & BEANS Janie’s Mill – organic flours, grains, and beans grown and...

Celebrating B Corp Month

Written by Lacey Benz on March 9, 2020. Posted in Events.

March is B Corp Month, a time to celebrate the community of Certified B Corps and our collective impact. We became a B Corp in 2012 (and public benefit corporation in 2016) to demonstrate our commitment to triple bottom line impact. Our work is about helping organic and regenerative farmers succeed by providing innovative financial tools like long-term leases, mortgages, and, most recently, operating lines of credit. Our farmers create impact with their land and with their communities. Organic...

Pesticide Police, Overwhelmed By Dicamba Complaints, Ask EPA For Help

Written by Lacey Benz on February 6, 2020. Posted in What We're Reading.

NPR reports on dicamba drift overwhelming Midwestern pesticide testing labs. Dicamba is a Bayer Monsanto-manufactured herbicide that was approved for use by the EPA in 2016. Dicamba is sprayed on genetically engineered soybean plants that are resistant to the herbicide and survive, while surrounding weeds die. Since its implementation, dicamba has faced harsh criticism because of its propensity to drift. Pesticide drift has long been a danger to organic farmers. It’s one reason that...

Iroquois Valley awarded a 2019 Conservation Innovation Grant

Written by Lacey Benz on January 3, 2020. Posted in News & Media.

Iroquois Valley was awarded a $700,000 Conservation Innovation Grant from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). Our project will focus on supporting our farmers beyond land tenure through operating capital and improving farm viability. The funding is provided through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which is funding the future of agriculture and conservation through grants to organizations and universities that are developing the next generation of...