But what is Farmers Toolshed?
We’re so glad you asked. Farmers Toolshed is an equipment and tool sharing program for small and medium-scale farmers in Eastern Iowa. Based at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm in Iowa City, the program is an LLC business owned by area farmers and managed by Iowa Valley RC&D.
Farmers Toolshed will offer local farmers access to specialized or seldomly used equipment at fair rental rates, allowing farmers to trial new equipment or avoid large purchases. People can participate as Owner Members or Annual Users. Owner Members can also serve on the Farmer Committee.
What’s the Farmer Committee?
Farmers Toolshed needs to recruit an initial committee of farmers to guide the startup of the program and begin making equipment available for rent. Ideally, this committee will begin meeting in October 2023, so if interested, please reach out soon.
Committee members attend a small number of meetings per year to set rates and policies. These meetings can be virtual or in-person and their frequency is set by members. Initial committee members will receive a $100 stipend for participating in the program’s development.
How else can I participate?
You can become an Owner Member or Annual User.
OWNER MEMBERS
Owner members are share owners and voting members of the LLC. Owner members receive discounted equipment rental rates, a share of profits, and can guide program policies.
ANNUAL USERS
Annual Users can access equipment for rent for a small annual fee plus the rate for each item rented. This level provides equipment access without the benefits of Owner Membership.
Ways to Purchase Shares:
Purchase a share of the LLC for $500 each OR Donate a piece of equipment and become a shareholder based on the fair market value of the item donated.
Current Equipment Available:
Root Undercutter Harvester
No-Till Grain Drill (6 ft)
Roller Crimper (7 ft)
No-Till Transplanter
Potato Digger
Jang Seeder
Broadcast Seeder
Plastic Mulch Layer
Current Equipment in Demand:
Utility Trailer
Chicken Crates
For more information contact Iowa Valley RC&D Executive Director Jason Grimm at jason@ivrcd.org.