Author: Lacey Benz

Black Wind Farm: An investment in a veteran farmer’s journey to farmland ownership in New York

Written by Lacey Benz on August 11, 2022. Posted in Investment News.

We are so proud to welcome Justin Butts to our portfolio. Justin is a first-generation, Navy veteran farmer with extensive and varied experience – he’s a farmer, a small business owner, and a chef. Hear Justin tell his story in this Sustainable Dish podcast episode. Justin was the livestock manager at Soul Fire Farm, “an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.” Soul Fire Farm’s wide-ranging and deeply impactful...

Eli’s Ridge: Pasture & forest-raised livestock in the heart of North Carolina

Written by Lacey Benz on August 11, 2022. Posted in Investment News.

Shawn and Jennifer Hatley are fourth-generation farmers in Stanly County who raise sheep, pigs, cows, ducks, and chickens with their sons, Blake and Eli. The Hatleys apply sustainable and regenerative farming principles and work within a perennial pasture and forest-based farming system (also known as silvopasture) in Oakboro, a suburb of Charlotte. We approved financing for the Hatleys to purchase a 108-acre property from Shawn’s father, David Hatley, by the end of August, marking what...

Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, PBC Announces Bill Stoddart as CEO and Christopher Zuehlsdorff as COO

Written by Lacey Benz on July 28, 2022. Posted in News & Media.

Iroquois Valley Farmland REITPress ReleaseEVANSTON, IL, July 28, 2022. Iroquois Valley is proud to announce the hiring of William “Bill” Stoddart as CEO, effective July 11th, 2022, and Christopher Zuehlsdorff as COO, effective July 25th, 2022. The Board of Directors undertook a six-month nationwide search to identify these new senior management team members. Dr. Stephen Rivard, the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm recognizing that “the addition of Bill and Chris to...

Earth Day 2022: Investing in Our Planet

Written by Lacey Benz on April 22, 2022. Posted in News & Media.

Fresh basil from one of the newest farms in our portfolio, Sumac Creek Farm in Kankakee County, IL Earth Day is here, and we are grateful that there is a day devoted to raising awareness about environmental issues and celebrating our planet. The official theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet”, and it highlights the importance of holding businesses, governments, and citizens accountable for the future of our planet. Some recommended resources about Earth Day can be found...

Organic Farming Research Foundation publishes the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda

Written by Lacey Benz on March 28, 2022. Posted in News & Media.

Iroquois Valley is proud to have partnered with the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) to support their work in publishing the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA). This report details organic research needs with the goal of informing future investments to support the success of organic farmers and ranchers and those transitioning to organic production. We are pleased to report that a number of farmers in the Iroquois Valley portfolio contributed to this research by participating...

Iroquois Valley named to the IA 50 for the tenth consecutive year

Written by Lacey Benz on March 16, 2022. Posted in News & Media.

Iroquois Valley was named an Emeritus Manager by ImpactAssets in its annual ImpactAssets 50™ (IA 50). This year, ImpactAssets celebrates its eleventh year curating its widely recognized list of impact investment fund managers. According to ImpactAssets, the IA 50 is the first publicly available database that provides a gateway into the world of impact investing for investors and their financial advisors, offering an easy way to identify experienced impact investment firms and explore the...

Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, PBC Welcomes Andy Ambriole as Interim CEO

Written by Lacey Benz on December 20, 2021. Posted in News & Media.

Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT Press Release The Company and Tera Johnson, our former CEO, parted ways effective December 3, 2021. Ms. Johnson’s departure was amicable – she moved on to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Stephen Rivard, the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, expressed appreciation for “all of Tera’s hard work during her tenure. We wish her the best of luck in her next endeavor.” Long-time Iroquois Valley Board member, Investment Committee member, and tenant farmer, Andy...

2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Written by Lacey Benz on December 3, 2021. Posted in Events.

Iroquois Valley is excited to share our annual gift guide featuring products grown by the farmers we partner with – 2021 has been an exceptional year, and we hope that you have been able to enjoy local and organic foods, diverse and thriving landscapes, and intentional relationships with your communities throughout it all. This year’s gift guide is illustrated by Evanston-based artist, George Folz who specializes in commissioned drawings of animals, family portraits, and people. Check...

Iroquois Valley presented at the 2021 Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum

Written by Lacey Benz on October 8, 2021. Posted in Events.

The 2021 Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) Forum was held September 28-29 in Oakland, CA, and we were honored to have two of our staff members present at the conference. The RFSI Forum catalyzes conversation, advances education, and drives increased investment in regenerative agriculture and food, and attendees include global stakeholders that are committed to transforming our food system. Our key takeaways from the conference include: Reflecting on questions posed at the...