Impact Investment Firm Raises Funds from Institutions and Individuals to Transform the Country’s Agricultural System in Partnership with Land Stewards

Chicago, Ill. — September 23, 2025 — Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT is proud to announce a new video highlighting their investment partnership with rancher, ecologist and entrepreneur Cindy Tolle. The impact investor provides financing for Diamond E Ranch, a 22,000 acre regenerative cattle operation producing sustainably raised beef for institutions across the United States. View it here.

Iroquois Valley first partnered with Tolle on a smaller parcel of land and was the lender she turned to when the opportunity arose to grow. In collaboration with Dirt Capital Partners and with the support of key conservation organizations, Iroquois Valley helped finance the acquisition of a larger ranch property to scale Cindy’s impact-driven business.

“Organic farming and ranching are imperative, but also profitable,” said Tolle. “I went to Iroquois Valley because they understand the long game. Thanks to this investment, we have been able to conserve a critical piece of the puzzle between two conservation areas in this region.”

Sustainable Cattle, Regenerative Land Management
Diamond E. Ranch is Audubon Conservation Ranching Certified, reflecting its deep commitment to regenerative practices that restore soil health, support biodiversity and use water efficiently. The ranch raises Criollo cattle, a heritage breed ideally suited to arid landscapes. These animals use just a quarter of the water of conventional cattle and gain weight rapidly on native grasslands, making the model both ecologically and financially resilient.

“Our restoration efforts don’t take much work, and they’re really effective,” Tolle explains. “When it rains, our low-tech water capturing methods allow native grasses to sprout again. The cattle fertilize the land naturally. In just a few years, we’re seeing major changes in the landscape.”

Feeding Communities with Nutrient-Dense Protein
The beef produced at Diamond E Ranch doesn’t just meet ecological standards, it also meets a growing demand. The ranch supplies high-quality meat to schools, food banks, hospitals, national parks, and universities, bringing clean, nutrient-rich food to a wide range of communities.

“It’s a win-win all the way around,” says Tolle. “We’re proving that a ranching business can be profitable, ecologically responsible and socially impactful. I do what I do because I want every child to have access to clean food and a healthy place to live.”

Impact-Driven Financing for the Future of Food
At Iroquois Valley, supporting regenerative farmers and ranchers is central to its mission. “Cindy’s business exemplifies what we believe in: land stewardship that builds soil health also improves human health and leads to more viable farms,” said Chris Zuehlsdorff, CEO of Iroquois Valley. “We’re proud to stand behind producers like Cindy who are making organic, regenerative agriculture a viable and scalable solution.”