Farmer FAQ

Founded in 2007, Iroquois Valley was created to address one of the biggest challenges in agriculture: access to secure land. We offer long-term leases that remove the pressure of land debt and provide the runway farmers and ranchers need to profitably steward the land.

We partner with experienced operators at all levels of the food system who are committed to improving soil health and growing healthy food. Our approach aligns farmer success with land stewardship—because when the land thrives, so do the people who farm it.

We begin with the farmer. You identify the land that fits your vision and bring that opportunity to us. From there, we take the time to understand your operation through a holistic underwriting process that looks beyond the numbers to include your farming practices, long-term goals, and stewardship of the land.

We are long-term partners, committed to building enduring relationships with farmers. Our model is designed to provide small and mid-size farmers with land security, patient capital, and ongoing support—so you can regenerate soils, strengthen resilience, and build a business that lasts.

We primarily partner with organic row-crop farmers and conservation ranchers across America’s Heartland—operators building profitable businesses while strengthening soil health and resilience. Our farmers run their own businesses and make their own operational decisions.

We partner with experienced operators—often with backgrounds in organic or pasture-based production—who are running financially viable operations and are ready to capture the upside of organic agriculture. While a family history of farming can be helpful, it is not required. What matters most is experience, integrity, and a long-term commitment to stewardship.

We also recognize that access to capital has not been equitable. Through our Rooted in Regeneration Note program, we support socially disadvantaged farmers by offering structures that can reduce interest expenses and expand opportunities.

Long-term Leases

• Lease terms are structured in 3-year increments due to state law, but our intent is long-term partnership, with clear renewal pathways and multi-decade relationships.
• Rent rate is informed by the underlying soil class, using state-specific agronomic studies.
• Rent is determined on a property-by-property basis based on soil class and infrastructure, not through competitive bidding.
• After seven years of stewardship, farmers have an ongoing opportunity to purchase the land they farm.
• Ongoing capital improvement support that strengthens long-term productivity—such as tile drainage.Rent is paid twice annually, in the spring and fall, to align with the agricultural cycles.
• Farmers are eligible to participate in our Farmer Success Sharing Plan, aligning long-term performance with mutual upside.

Select Financing Structures

In select circumstances, such as in states with restrictions on corporate ownership of farmland, we may use mortgage-based structures to partner with an aligned farmer. These structures are not a primary offering and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Specific terms and eligibility are discussed directly with a relationship manager when a mortgage-based structure is required.

Pre-Approval

• Interested in exploring what it would look like to work together? We offer pre-approval for all of our products. Get in touch to learn more about our process.

Iroquois Valley is a public benefit corporation backed by a community of values-driven, forward-thinking investors. They seek competitive financial returns while supporting a more resilient, organic food system. Their long-term capital allows us to provide stability to farmers and deliver consistent, non-concessionary returns. By aligning capital with stewardship, Iroquois Valley investors prove that purpose and profits can grow together—farm by farm, for the long term.

We are always open to new opportunities to partner with farmers. If you believe there may be a fit, we encourage you to reach out. The process begins with a conversation. If we move forward, we’ll request financial information, details about the land you’d like us to purchase or finance, references, and insight into your participation in farmer networks that support continuous learning and improvement.

Once we determine there’s a potential fit, we’ll guide you through a straightforward due diligence process.

• Questionnaire form which includes some opportunities to share your business values and strategy with details about your request for funding 
• Narrative business plan. We’d love to see details about your strategy (including crops/ production, operations, financial, and marketing plans, as relevant). 
• Three most recent years’ tax returns 
• Credit report authorization 
• Set of financial spreadsheets including your balance sheet, income statement, and 3-year cash flow projection 
• A $400 application fee only due after initial analysis is done and you’re sure you want to apply
• Appraisal and any other detailed property info available
• Follow-up call(s) and farm visit.

This list is not exhaustive – a relationship manager will let you know what’s needed during the due diligence process. Please do not submit any paperwork without first speaking to a relationship manager.