Chris Zuehlsdorff on Farm Friendly Financing and Investing
In this podcast episode, host Taylor Muglia interviews Chris Zuehlsdorff, CEO of Iroquois Valley, about accessing affordable mortgages and leases for farmers and ranchers pursuing regenerative agriculture. They discuss the challenges of land access, particularly in the western U.S., and explore how Iroquois Valley supports organic transitions. Zuehlsdorff shares his background, the mission of Iroquois Valley, and its impact-focused investment approach. He also highlights partnerships providing technical assistance and conservation support, emphasizing the importance of organic certification, market access, and the alignment of incentives for sustainable farming.
Music attribution:
A Folk Story by Alex Cristoforetti
Timestamp & Show Notes
1:07 introducing Chris
3:04 Chris’s background
4:57 How he reconnected to agriculture
6:20 What is Iroquois Valley
10:45 what makes “farmer friendly” leases and mortgages
12:32 what do investors get out of this
14:47 intention to transition to organic is a requirement
16:37 new markets through this partnership
21:36 how has working at this nexus changed his view of agriculture
24:04 things Chris has learned about being involved in the food system
25:23 what does he wish more producers understood about organic agriculture
27:47 why does organic agriculture matter to Chris
30:29 iroquisvalley.com
