In February 2009, the WNC Agricultural Options Program awarded $3,000 to 20 area farmers, $6,000 to 23 farmers and $9,000 to 3 farmers who are diversifying or expanding their operations.
The funds offer incentive for farmers to improve their operations as well as demonstrate exemplary practices & successful techniques to the agricultural community.
Select a Topic to View the Results
County: Recipient Name; Project Description
Agritourism
Buncombe: Janet Shisler Peterson, Cloud 9 Farm; Sustainable Sawmilling — GO >>
Graham: Scott Boxberger, Stoney Hollow Farms & Stephanie Loafman,
Five Sisters; Farm Kitchen — GO >>
Jackson: Marsha Crites, Harvest Moon Gardens; Herbs & Perennials — GO >>
Mitchell: Doug Harrell, Harrell Hill Farms; Agri-tourism Expansion — GO >>
Yancey: Elke Spirakis, Wellspring Farm; Little Schoolhouse on the Farm — GO >>
Beekeeping
Buncombe: Debra Roberts; Miss Bee Haven’s Ballard Branch Bee Yard — GO >>
Flowers & Herbs
Buncombe: Viki Nofke & Susan Mallard, Blue Heron Farm; Culinary Herb Project — GO >>
McDowell: Meredith McKissick; Greenhouse to Increase Efficiency & Profitability — GO >>
Fruits & Vegetables
Avery: Ellis & Barbara Aycock; Groundbreaking Farming in Avery — GO >>
Buncombe: Van Burnette; Hop & Blueberry Production — GO >>
Buncombe: Rayenelle Ritchie, Wilson Farms; Greenhouses & Farm Store Expansion — GO >>
Cherokee: Billy & John Bruce; B&B Farms Produce Stand — GO >>
Cherokee: Glenn Carson; Two Buddies Heirloom Apples — GO >>
Clay: Philip Moore; Organic Greenhouse Tomatoes — GO >>
Haywood: Skipper Russell; Romaine Lettuce/ Refrigerated Box Truck — GO >>
Macon: Kathy S. & Daniel Tinsley, Slagle Farm; Wool & Asparagus — GO >>
Madison: Linda Raper; Heirloom & Grape Tomato Hoophouse — GO >>
McDowell: Meredith McKissick; Greenhouse to Increase Efficiency & Profitability — GO >>
Mitchell: Doug Harrell, Harrell Hill Farms; Agri-tourism Expansion — GO >>
Mitchell: Sam Silver; Potato Grading & Washing Line — GO >>
Mitchell: Roger Frye & John Slayton; Grassy Creek Blueberry Patch — GO >>
Mitchell: Brandon Birchfield; Potatoes after Tobacco — GO >>
Mitchell: Tim Hughes; Parking, Irrigation, Storage Building, Plasticulture — GO >>
Polk: Rodney Booth, Adawehi; Sustainable Agriculture Growth & Expansion (SAGE) — GO >>
Swain: Mike Glover; Sleepy Hollow Farm Greenhouse — GO >>
Watauga: Ernie Dollar; Organic Greenhouse Vegetables — GO >>
Yancey: Michael & Tammie Edwards; Prosperity Plants — GO >>
Yancey: Jeremy McCurry; Drip Irrigation for Strawberries — GO >>
Yancey: Ryan Wiebe; Organic Greenhouse — GO >>
Grains & Craft Supply
Cherokee Reservation: Mick Rattler; Job’s Tears (Coix Lacryma-jobi) — GO >>
Greenhouses & Buildings
Buncombe: Walter & Wendy Harrill, Imladris Farm; The Bunny Barn — GO >>
Buncombe: Rayenelle Ritchie, Wilson Farms; Greenhouses & Farm Store Expansion — GO >>
Cherokee: Billy & John Bruce; B&B Farms Produce Stand — GO >>
Clay: Philip Moore; Organic Greenhouse Tomatoes — GO >>
Madison: Fred Treadway; Mushroom Fruiting House — GO >>
Madison: Steve Rice; Indoor Mushroom Expansion — GO >>
Madison: Shannon Roberts; Pasture Poultry & Compost — GO >>
Madison: Linda Raper; Heirloom & Grape Tomato Hoophouse — GO >>
McDowell: Meredith McKissick, Crooked Creek Farms;
Greenhouse to Increase Efficiency & Profitability — GO >>
Mitchell: Doug Harrell, Harrell Hill Farms; Agri-tourism Expansion — GO >>
Mitchell: Tim Hughes; Parking, Irrigation, Storage Building, Plasticulture — GO >>
Polk: Rodney Booth, Adawehi; Sustainable Agriculture Growth & Expansion (SAGE) — GO >>
Swain: Jim Frady; MaiLee’s Mountain Mushroom Expansion — GO >>
Swain: Mike Glover; Sleepy Hollow Farm Greenhouse — GO >>
Watauga: Ernie Dollar; Organic Greenhouse Vegetables — GO >>
Yancey: Ryan Wiebe; Organic Greenhouse — GO >>
Health & Safety
Buncombe: Walter & Wendy Harrill, Imladris Farm; The Bunny Barn — GO >>
Haywood: Skipper Russell; Romaine Lettuce/ Refrigerated Box Truck — GO >>
Mitchell: Rick Harty; Harty Farm Expansion — GO >>
Hops
Buncombe: Van Burnette; Hop & Blueberry Production — GO >>
Haywood: Scott Grahl & Stephanie Willis; Winding River Hops — GO >>
Livestock
Buncombe: Walter & Wendy Harrill, Imladris Farm; The Bunny Barn — GO >>
Buncombe: Neal & Ava Morgan; Creating non-corn-based feed for beef cattle — GO >>
Cherokee Reservation: Danny & Krista Lambert; Beef Expansion — GO >>
Clay: Charlie & Barbara Kissling; Natural Farm-Raised Beef — GO >>
Haywood: Tim Kelley; Herd Performance Improvement — GO >>
Macon: Kathy S. & Daniel Tinsley, Slagle Farm; Wool & Asparagus — GO >>
Madison: Shannon Roberts; Pasture Poultry & Compost — GO >>
Madison: Robin Singleton, Reeves Homeplace Farms; Poultry Project — GO >>
Yancey: Elke Spirakis, Wellspring Farm; Little Schoolhouse on the Farm — GO >>
Mushrooms
Madison: Steve Rice; Indoor Mushroom Expansion — GO >>
Madison: Fred Treadway; Mushroom Fruiting House — GO >>
Swain: Jim Frady; MaiLee’s Mountain Mushroom Expansion — GO >>
Ornamentals/ Nursery Plants
Henderson: Rick & Karen Jordan, Deerwood Nursery; Restoration Plants — GO >>
Jackson: Marsha Crites, Harvest Moon Gardens; Herbs and Perennials — GO >>
Jackson: Joseph & Carol Doyle, Salegee Farm; Heather Project — GO >>
Madison: Nancy Odell, Geowild; Mountain Native Plants — GO >>
Mitchell: Nick Sagan; High Mountain Nursery Expansion — GO >>
Transylvania: Harold Paxton, French Broad Garden Center;
Roadside Retail Sales Lot Establishment — GO >>
Season Extension
Buncombe: Viki Nofke & Susan Mallard, Blue Heron Farm; Culinary Herb Project — GO >>
Clay: Philip Moore; Organic Greenhouse Tomatoes — GO >>
Graham: Scott Boxberger, Stoney Hollow Farms & Stephanie Loafman,
Five Sisters; Farm Kitchen — GO >>
Tree Farms
Haywood: Terry Rogers; Arrowood Tree Farm — GO >>
Mitchell: Doug Harrell, Harrell Hill Farms; Agri-tourism Expansion — GO >>
U-Pick Farms
Buncombe: Van Burnette; Hop & Blueberry Production — GO >>
Buncombe: Rayenelle Ritchie, Wilson Farms; Greenhouses & Farm Store Expansion — GO >>
Cherokee: Billy & John Bruce; B&B Farms Produce Stand — GO >>
Mitchell: Tim Hughes; Parking, Irrigation, Storage Building, Plasticulture — GO >>
Mitchell: Roger Frye & John Slayton; Grassy Creek Blueberry Patch — GO >>
Transylvania: Harold Paxton, French Broad Garden Center;
Roadside Retail Sales Lot Establishment — GO >>
Yancey: Michael & Tammie Edwards; Prosperity Plants — GO >>
Yancey: Jeremy McCurry; Drip Irrigation for Strawberries — GO >>
Value-Added Processing
Buncombe: Janet Shisler Peterson, Cloud 9 Farm; Sustainable Sawmilling — GO >>
Buncombe: Walter & Wendy Harrill, Imladris Farm; The Bunny Barn — GO >>
Graham: Scott Boxberger, Stoney Hollow Farms & Stephanie Loafman,
Five Sisters; Farm Kitchen — GO >>
Macon: Kathy S. & Daniel Tinsley, Slagle Farm; Wool & Asparagus — GO >>
Michell: Rick Harty; Harty Farm Expansion — GO >>