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As the fall harvest draws to a close and Q3 results come into focus, a clear picture of the 2025 growing season is emerging for our farmers. Across our portfolio, we are encouraged to see organic producers well-positioned in today’s uncertain environment.
Consumer demand for organic products continues to rise, and our farmers—who primarily supply the U.S. market—are benefiting from this steady growth. In contrast, conventional farmers face greater volatility as they rely on commodity crop markets for export or fuel production. This distinction has helped our organic farmers remain more resilient amid the recent tariff fluctuations and government shutdown.
The data continues to affirm what we’ve long believed: investing in organic farmland is good for the planet, people, and profit. With a historic transition of farmland ownership from one generation to the next already underway, current political and economic dynamics may accelerate this shift. At Iroquois Valley, we believe now is the time for investors to help expand the reach of organic agriculture nationwide. Interested in being part of this historic transformation?
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FARM SPOTLIGHT
JANIE'S FARM & MILL
Harold and Ross Wilken are the father-son team behind Janie's Farm and Janie’s Mill, leading organic grain operations in East Central Illinois. Their shared goal is simple yet powerful: to feed people by growing nutrient-dense, organic, regenerative grains that sustain both the soil and their community.
Their partnership with Iroquois Valley dates back to the company’s founding. Harold was Iroquois Valley’s first farmer partner in 2007. Since then, Iroquois Valley has reinvested in the Wilkens many times, enabling them to expand operations and strengthen their commitment to organic, community-based agriculture.
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PARTNER UPDATE
HEALING SOILS FOUNDATION
As we close out the year, we’re inspired by the work of our partner, Healing Soils Foundation (HSF), which is helping regenerative farmers across the Midwest stay resilient through another season of uncertainty.
Through a holistic approach that blends grants, bridge loans, and community collaboration, HSF has distributed over $600,000 in emergency relief funds this year to farmers across the Midwest—keeping soil-building practices in place even as public reimbursements stall. Their innovative Regenerative Farmer Assurance Fund continues to deliver fast, flexible funding when farmers need it most.
Now, as HSF works to raise $500,000 by year-end to ensure farmers enter the 2026 growing season ready to plant and thrive, we’re proud to stand alongside them. We have seen HSF's successful support of farmers who care for the soil that sustains the health of our food system, and we hope that you will help them continue their work.
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IN THE MEDIA
BLACK WIND FARM FEATURED ON SUCCESSFUL FARMING PODCAST
This past Veteran's Day, we celebrated Navy veteran and Iroquois Valley farmer Justin Butts of Black Wind Farm, who was recently featured in Successful Farming's “15 Minutes with a Farmer” podcast series. After joining the Navy at 21, Justin faced health challenges that led to early retirement. He then returned to his roots in agriculture, which led him to join Iroquois Valley's portfolio in 2022 through our RNR Notes program.
Reflecting on both his military and farming experiences, Justin shared: “Some people can be great on their own, but it’s much easier when you have people behind you and working with you.” We’re grateful for Justin’s service, inspired by his ongoing work building a resilient food system, and proud to be a small part of his success!
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IN THE MEDIA
ORGANIC, REGENERATIVE FARMLAND HUBS DRIVE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
In the latest issue of Alternative Investor Portal, our CEO Christopher Zuehlsdorff shares how organic farmland hubs are reshaping the future of American agriculture. These hubs represent more than just farmland — they’re ecosystems of innovation that connect farmers, investors, and communities to build a more resilient food system.
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IN THE MEDIA
FROM SOIL TO STRATEGY: THE QUESTIONS GUIDING THOUGHTFUL FARMLAND INVESTMENT
As more investors turn their attention to agriculture, the key question isn’t whether to invest in farmland — but how. Informed investment decisions are essential to the positive transformation of farmland. At Iroquois Valley, we know that well-defined due diligence questions can turn broad ideals — like stewardship, impact, and resilience — into tangible insights about how a business truly operates.
In partnership with Regenerative Food Systems Investment, we published an article on the investment framework necessary to go beyond strategy and ensure capital supports the kind of agriculture we want to flourish.
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LEARN & GROW
INVESTOR QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Q: What percentage of Iroquois Valley farmers grow soybeans, and are organic soybean growers better protected than conventional producers from today’s volatile export markets and policy-driven disruptions?
A: About 70% of farmers in our portfolio include organic soybeans in their crop rotation. What differentiates them isn’t just the crop—it’s the market. Our farmers serve premium domestic buyers, thereby significantly reducing their exposure to the volatility conventional soybean growers face in global commodity markets.
Conventional soybeans depend heavily on exports and are therefore more vulnerable to tariff swings and geopolitical shifts. In contrast, as the Organic Trade Association notes, organic exports make up only about 5% of the U.S. organic market. The U.S. is primarily a consumption-driven organic market, meaning organic farmers are far less tied to external demand shocks.
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RNR Notes are available to accredited investors only. You may only invest after careful consideration of our complete Private Placement Memorandum, verification of your accredited investor status, and the submission of any other information required by Iroquois Valley relating to your proposed investment. No offering of RNR Notes is being made to investors until the Company has complied with the applicable state law.
Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, PBC is offering its common stock for sale pursuant to Tier 2 of Regulation A+ and as such intends to be exempted from state qualification pursuant to federal law. No offer to sell securities or solicitation of an offer to buy securities is being made herein or in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted under the blue sky or state securities laws thereof. Offerings are only made through our Offering Circular, available here. Some of the statements herein may constitute forward-looking statements under federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Offering Circular.
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CONNECTING FARMERS, COMMUNITIES, AND INVESTORS SINCE 2007
As a corporate guideline, we do not look for specific farmland to purchase or finance. We develop relationships with farmers who want to grow their businesses. We move forward when we have a ready, willing, and able farmer.
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Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT | Public Benefit Corporation
Certified B Corporation | Est. 2007
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