Foundation News

PLATTEVILLE - Brad Biddick and his wife Peggy were recently honored with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Foundation Distinguished Service award at the annual Donor Recognition Dinner.

Brad is currently the president of three local corporations, Trelay Seeds, Rural Route 1 Popcorn and Biddick Inc. All three expanded from the farm his grandfather Elmer started in the early 1900s. As the name suggests, Rural Route 1 Popcorn specializes in gourmet popcorn and has a showroom in Montfort.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Trelay, the Biddicks funded two initiatives to support agriculture students at UWP. The first, the Trelay Agriculture Fellowship, provides a stipend to a UWP student living, working and learning about agriculture methods and techniques at Pioneer Farm. The second, the Trelay International Pioneers Fund, provides scholarships to agriculture students for study abroad experiences related to agriculture.

"The college and the Foundation truly appreciate the support of this extraordinary couple," said UWP Chancellor David Markee, "Brad and Peggy have worked hard to advance this region, both contributing their time and leadership to our regional and professional organizations, and for this we are extremely thankful."

The Biddicks are long-standing patrons of UWP. Since the late 1980s, the Elmer G. Biddick Charitable Foundation has provided monies to fund professional development grant awards to UWP faculty in agriculture. Over the years, faculty have had the opportunity to undertake special projects which have served to develop and improve UWP?s academic programs in agriculture.

In addition, the Biddicks support UWP's Community Scholarship Program. The Program allows donors to support high school graduates who wish to attend UWP. Donors are able to select which high school their scholarship monies go to. Both Brad and Peggy graduated from Iowa-Grant High School and in turn support the Community Scholarship Program at Iowa-Grant.

The Biddicks philanthropic gifts honor their heritage. Brad Biddick's grandmother, Ada Bethke, graduated from UWP in 1913. Ada was an artist and contributed to the success of the Trelay seed corn business with her bag designs, brand names and display signs. In support of a regional economic development initiative - ArtsBuild - undertaken by UWP in 2005, Trelay provided funding for a full-color, 120 page directory, featuring information and photos about more than 160 Southwest Wisconsin artists. This directory has served as a marketing and networking resource for regional arts professionals, making a significant difference in their livelihoods over the last three years. The Biddicks and Trelay are also sponsors of the Rural Artists Exhibition series that features works depicting rural life and landscapes.

Brad is also involved with the Wisconsin Crop Improvement Association. He has acted as their president and is currently the secretary-treasurer. Biddick helped form the Independent Professional Seedsmen Association and served both on their board and as the president.

Written by: Russ Brickey, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, brickeyr@uwplatt.edu