Central Grazing Co: Catalyzing land restoration by building an alternative lamb market

Jacqueline’s child, Liam, stands among the lambs at Central Grazing Co Jacqueline Smith of Central Grazing Company is instigating food systems change in Northeastern Kansas and beyond. In 2023, Central Grazing will sell approximately 2,000 lambs. These lambs are sourced from Jacqueline’s farm as well as from several other regenerative sheep farms in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Idaho. The Central Grazing network of sheep farmers regenerate depleted soils through...

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Financing a Land Back initiative for members of the Mohawk Nation

A rainbow shines over the Longhouse structure on the Berry Farm Indigenous Stewardship at the Berry Farm in Schoharie County, New York Deep in the Schoharie Valley of New York, a sixty-acre farm is the site of an ancient Mohawk village rich with cultural history. Members of the Mohawk Nation identified the land and united to form a land back effort to acquire the property and return to their ancestral homelands. Iroquois Valley is proud to participate in financing the purchase of the farm...

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

The 2023 edition of the IA 50 features a record number of private impact fund managers delivering social and environmental impact as well as financial returns. In partnership with the ImpactAssets Press Release – BETHESDA, MARYLAND – March 14th, 2023 ImpactAssets’ Twelfth IA 50 Impact Fund List Showcases 163 Fund Managers and $122 Billion in Assets Under Management Iroquois Valley is honored to be named an Emeritus Manager by ImpactAssets in its annual Impact Assets (IA 50)....

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Christopher Zuehlsdorff named CEO at Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, PBC

Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT Press Release Iroquois Valley’s Board of Directors unanimously appointed Christopher Zuehlsdorff as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Company, following William “Bill” Stoddart’s departure from the organization, effective February 27, 2023. The Company and Mr. Stoddart parted ways amicably, and the team at Iroquois Valley wish him success in his future endeavors. Mr. Zuehlsdorff assumes the CEO role after serving as Chief Operating Officer. During his...

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2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Iroquois Valley is excited to share our annual gift guide featuring products grown by the farmers we partner with. 2022 has been a year of gratitude and community, and we hope that you have been able to appreciate local organic food, flourishing landscapes, and meaningful relationships with your communities throughout the year. This year’s gift guide is illustrated by Chicago-based artist, Hannah Bess Ross, who is an illustrator and writer that specializes in all things whimsy. Check...

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

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 work...

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

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...

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

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...

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Dr. George Washington Carver: More than a peanut man

George Washington Carver holding a piece of soil in a field, 1906. Library of Congress. Celebrating Dr. George Washington Carver’s Impact on Sustainable Agriculture Dr. Carver had a profound impact on sustainable farming practices in the South Iroquois Valley was one of the first finance companies to support organic farmers, dating back to 2007. However, many years before us, Dr. George Washington Carver was applying organic practices to improve soil health. In honor of Juneteenth, we...

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Earth Day 2022: Investing in Our Planet

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...

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Events

2022 Holiday Gift Guide

November 30, 2022
Iroquois Valley is excited to share our annual gift guide featuring products grown by the farmers we partner with. 2022 has been a year of gratitude and community, and we hope that you have been able to appreciate local organic food, flourishing landscapes, and meaningful relationships with your communities throughout the year.

News

Central Grazing Co: Catalyzing land restoration by building an alternative lamb market

April 25, 2023
Jacqueline has been in search of well-aligned funders to enable land access, growth of her flocks, and sustainable, regional processing and marketing for the products produced. Jacqueline initially contacted Iroquois Valley in 2020 to learn more about our investment process and eventually requested financing to help expand her sheep flock from Central Grazing’s network of lamb producers.

What We're Reading

Iroquois Valley joins Will County, IL farm alliance to improve soil health, water quality and local economies

August 20, 2021
We need a regional agricultural food, nutrition and conservation business plan that incentivizes farmers to continue producing economic, environmental and social benefits for another 100 years.  

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