We lost an organic farming pioneer when William “Bill” Dow passed away in December 2012.

Bill believed passionately in local, organic food and farming, which did not really exist in the late 1970s when he started Ayrshire Farm in Chatham County, North Carolina.

He was a trailblazer, setting up farmers markets across the Southeast, including the Carrboro Farmers Market, and being one of the first farmers in the Carolinas to achieve organic certification—all before local and organic was in demand.

Bill was ahead of the curve. Indeed, he bent the curve and knew that to grow a vibrant, sustainable local food system, farmers need training, networking, and mentorships.

“Bill was a teacher before anything else. He loved to teach young people,” said Ms. Daryl Walker, his partner for the last decade of his life. It was important to him to pass along a passion for growing and the satisfaction of the life of a farmer.

Want more on Bill’s legacy? Our friend and Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent Debbie Roos wrote a lovely dedication. You can also read Bill’s book, which we did a review on.

William W. Dow Scholarship Fund

Being a farmer is hard work, and the learning curve is often steep for small farms. For many, finding the right resources and education to start a successful farm business is challenging when combined with the pressures of production and marketing and being good stewards of the land.

In recognition of Bill’s commitment to shaping farmers, CFSA created the Dow Scholarship Fund in 2013. The fund provides scholarships to Black, Indigenous, and Farmers of Color of all experience levels and beginning farmers to attend CFSA’s annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference, the premier forum for networking and education for local and organic agriculture in the Carolinas. A full scholarship, valued at $750, provides an all-access conference pass, with the option of lodging and travel reimbursement.

On average, between 20 and 30 scholarships are awarded each year.

The benefits of the scholarship continue after the conference! Each Dow Scholar becomes a CFSA member and can access our free technical services for an entire year—from food safety and high tunnel production to organic certification and conservation planning—valued at $4,250.

Apply for a Dow Scholarship

Conference scholarships for Black, Indigenous, and Farmers of Color of all experience levels and beginning farmers.

Who can apply? The scholarship is open to:

  • South or North Carolina farmers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color of ALL experience levels.
  • BEGINNING farmers of ANY race and ethnicity who have been actively farming for five years or less in South or North Carolina.

For additional information, see our Conference Scholarships page.

Applications are closed for 2023. Check back to in summer of 2024 to apply for the 39th Sustainable Agriculture Conference!

Support Dow Scholars

The Dow Scholarship opens doors! It introduces scholars to the greater CFSA community and network of growers, producers, and buyers.

An investment in these farmers brings us closer to realizing our shared goal of building a just and sustainable food system.

Gifts can be made to the Dow Scholarship Fund in three ways.

  • Online. Select “Dow Scholarship Fund” in the form.
  • Give us a call at 919-542-2402.
  • Send your check with “Bill Dow” in the subject line to:
    Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, PO Box 448, Pittsboro, NC,  27312