Paul Bickford Legacy Grant

Geographic Scope: Midwest United States, with focus on organic and regenerative grain operations

Initiative: Part of the "Healthy Soils, Healthy Grains" initiative

Focus Areas:

• Support for Midwestern organic and regenerative farmers who are leaders in their communities
• Farmers actively sharing principles of regenerative agriculture
• Strengthening regional foodshed to revitalize soils
• Organic and regenerative grain operations operating at scale
• Projects that advance soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability

Eligibility:

• Organic and regenerative farmers in the Midwest
• Leaders in their community actively mentoring and sharing regenerative agriculture principles
• Farmers committed to strengthening regional food systems
• Particularly supportive of farmers in grain production and succession planning

Award Focus:

• Continuation and strengthening of organic and regenerative agricultural practices
• Enhancement of soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability
• Community leadership and mentorship in regenerative agriculture
• Regional grain ecosystem participation

Legacy Context:
This grant honors Paul Bickford (1958-2022), a pioneer in organic farming who:

• Transitioned his family's conventional dairy operation to rotational grazing (1992)
• Established Bickford Organics focusing on organic grain farming
• Served on Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection's Organic Advisory Council
• Served on USDA Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
• Was known for mentoring the next generation of farmers
• Made farm succession a priority through ethical partnerships

Funding Source: Made possible through generous support of the Paul Bickford Estate

How to Apply

1. Application Portal: Visit healingsoils.org or contact the foundation
2. Current Status: Program is currently closed; check back for next round of funding announcements
3. Contact for Updates: info@healingsoilsfoundation.org
4. Application Timeline: The foundation will announce application windows for future rounds

Note: Specific application procedures and detailed requirements were not provided in available materials. Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly for current application guidelines.