Winneshiek County couple donates 164 acres to SILT

Ron Humpal stands next to one of the many walnut trees he planted years ago on 40 of the acres he and Karlene donated to SILT this week.

Winneshiek County residents Ron and Karlene Humpal have donated 164 acres of land to the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust.

"Our farm is in the Upper Iowa River Watershed," explained Karlene, whose father was a cousin of Norman Borlaug, known as the father of the Green Revolution. "We want to help protect it for the future. SILT believes in sustainable farming and helps new farmers get started."

Board Member and land donor Lyle Luzum and Executive Director Suzan Erem joined the celebration.

"This is a beautiful piece of land that will help secure the financial future of SILT," Luzum said. "It will also provide affordable opportunities to future food farmers in the Decorah area." On land that SILT owns, it offers affordable, inheritable ground leases, while the farmer owns the buildings, similar to condominiums, downtown businesses and lakefront lots.

Ron plans to farm the land at least one more season. In the meantime, the SILT Farmer Committee will be developing the farm listing and publishing the application process.