Healing Soils Foundation Announces Round 2 of Emergency Grants to Support Regenerative Farmers Amid Federal Funding Delays
CHICAGO, IL — The Healing Soils Foundation (HSF) is proud to announce the second round of awards from its Regenerative Farmer Assurance Fund (RFAF)—an emergency grant program launched in response to the widespread suspension and delay of federal conservation funding.
This latest round provides recoupable grants to an additional six regenerative across the Midwest. These funds will bridge critical gaps created by delays in USDA programs such as EQIP, CSP, and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) initiative, helping farmers stay on track with climate-smart infrastructure projects, conservation practices, and regional food system resilience efforts.
Across its first two rounds, the Regenerative Farmer Assurance Fund (RFAF) has deployed over $450,000 in emergency support to 12 farmers stewarding over 3,750 acres of land across the Midwest. From perennial grain systems and rotational grazing to agroforestry and organic vegetable production, these investments have helped farmers continue critical climate-smart practices during a time of unprecedented federal funding disruption. With two Round 1 grants already repaid and reinvested, RFAF is proving that rapid, recoupable funding can keep farmers on the land, accelerate conservation, and scale regenerative impact acre by acre.
“The Healing Soils Foundation was there for us when promised support didn’t come through. It shouldn’t fall on nonprofits to step in when federal systems fail to deliver on their commitments—but thankfully, Healing Soils was ready.” said John Bartman, a fifth-generation farmer in McHenry County, Illinois. “Healing Soils is healing the land by keeping farmers—the best stewards of the land—in business.”
Bartman, who manages over 900 acres using regenerative methods engaged with Healing Soils Foundation during his delayed reimbursement through the Climate Smart Commodities grant.
Round 2 Awardees Include:
Wonderfarm (WI) – Stabilizing regenerative pork production
Craig Farms Katahdins (MI) – Advancing EQIP-funded grazing and pasture restoration
Bouressa Family Farm (WI) – Converting former CAFO fields to managed pasture and clean water buffers
Fitzgerald Organics (MN) – Investing in labor infrastructure to sustain organic row crop operations
Villwock Farm (OH) – Launching regenerative agroforestry and silvopasture systems
KC Farm School (KS) – Expanding regional food distribution and sustaining nonprofit farm operations
“These funds are not just emergency support—they are strategic investments in the future of regenerative farming,” said Sarah Franz, Executive Director of Healing Soils Foundation. “When federal systems falter, we step in to keep farmers moving forward. Every dollar we put in now prevents exponential losses in conservation, community trust, and farmer viability.”
The Need Remains Urgent
While the foundation is proud to have awarded over $450,000 in rapid-response capital across two rounds, the pipeline of regenerative farmers left waiting on delayed or canceled public funding continues to grow.
Philanthropic partners, foundations, and aligned businesses are encouraged to support this ongoing effort. As Franz notes: “The earlier we invest, the more acres we save, the more trust we build, and the more resilient our food system becomes.”
To learn more or to contribute, visit www.healingsoilsfoundation.org
Media Contact: Sarah Franz | sfranz@healingsoilsfoundation.org