Скачать или смотреть The Beginnings of a Farm Transition - PFI Annual Conference 2019

When Paul Bickford decided it was time to slow down and retire, he knew he wanted to find someone to continue his farming operation. After placing a Craigslist ad, he was connected to John and Halee Wepking. Together, they have started the process of transitioning the farm. They share the steps they took at the beginning of this process to start what they hope will be a successful transition.

John and Halee Wepking operated a farm-to-table breakfast and lunch cafe while working on John’s family’s 200-acre farm. In 2015, they moved to Ridgeway, Wisconsin, to work for Paul Bickford. Since moving there, they have been working with Paul on a transition plan to continue his farming operation.

Paul Bickford owns and operates Bickford Organics in Ridgeway, Wisconsin, where he has farmed since the late 1970s. On this 900-acre operation, Paul has often been on the leading edge of farming innovation. About seven years ago, Paul sold his dairy herd and converted his entire farm to organic grain production.