FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 29, 2019
Contact: Rosalyn Lehman, executive director:  [email protected] | 515-608-8622

New Loan Resources for Organic Transition and Expansion
More information during Webinar on December 11, 2019

Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Organic Association  is partnering with Mad Agriculture and the Perennial Fund, the Conservation Learning Group and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to deliver a webinar about new loan resources for farmers interested in organic transition or expansion.

The Perennial Fund was founded to provide operating loans, business planning, technical support, and market access to help farmers expand certified-organic acreage using regenerative practices. The Fund currently serves organic farmers who want to expand in 2020, as well as those interested or in the midst of transitioning to organic. Loans can be used to cover operational costs, equipment, and infrastructure. Farmers do not pay back the fund until they are making net profits, paying nothing during the 36-month transition period and having any amount owed after year 10 completely forgiven. The Perennial Fund is seeking an initial 10-15 farmers for the pilot program.

“Transitioning and organic farmers often have trouble securing loans from traditional lending sources – creating additional barriers for some interested in entering or expanding into organic production,” says Roz Lehman, executive director, Iowa Organic Association. “The Perennial Fund provides an innovative, holistic approach in supporting organic farmers and organic growth.”

More details will be provided during a free webinar on December 11, 2019 at 12:00 noon (CST). Log-in to the webinar via this link: https://zoom.us/j/898147803.  Information is also available by visiting the Perennial Fund’s website or calling Brandon at 508-930-0885. 

The Iowa Organic Association (IOA) is a statewide, 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to organic education, advocacy and cooperation. Our membership is a diverse community of Iowa’s organic farmers, gardeners, food and farm businesses, advocates and consumers who are devoted to expanding organic agriculture and food systems in Iowa. More information at IowaOrganic.org.

Mad Agriculture’s mission is to reimagine and restore our relationship with Earth with good agriculture.

The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University was created in 1987 as part of the Iowa Groundwater Protection Act. The goals of the Center have been to identify and develop new ways to farm profitably while conserving natural resources as well as reducing negative environmental and social impacts. 

The Conservation Learning Group at Iowa State University is a collaborative team to advance training, outreach, and research across conservation land use and cropping systems.

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