In February 2023 the WNC Agricultural Options program awarded 31 farm businesses a total of $244,000 in grants to assist in farm diversification and expansion.

One of the farm businesses received $4,000 and 30 received $8,000. The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission is the financial supporter of WNC AgOptions; which aims to build sustainable farming communities in the mountain region by providing resources directly to farmers.

Select a Topic to View the Results

 

County — Award; Farm; Project Name

Apples

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

 

Agritourism

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Rick Rhinehart, Ruby Brown Farm; Multi-use Shed Facility & Future Farm Store

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kate and Fairman Jayne, Sandy Mush Herb Nursery; Farm Visit Improvements

Burke — Grant Award: $8,000; William Russ, Russwood Farms; Store Front

Haywood — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Keeter and Mark McDonagh, Mighty Gnome Market Garden; Walk-in Cooler for Farm Expansion and Agritourism Safety

 

Berries

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

Burke — Grant Award: $8,000; William Russ, Russwood Farms; Store Front

McDowell — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Hutchison, Beacon Village Farm, LLC; Farm Store

 

Building

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Rick Rhinehart, Ruby Brown Farm; Multi-use Shed Facility & Future Farm Store

Macon — Grant Award: $8,000; John Cantrell, Mashburn Branch Vineyard; Small Winery Completion

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Emily Patrick, Carolina Flowers; Dried Flower Processing Chamber

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Lisa and Dennis Braswell, Braswell Mountain Farms; Hay Storage Facility

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Susan Owen, The Lily Patch Farm; Sorting, Storage, and Cooling Shed for Pawpaw

Yancey — Grant Award: $8,000; Billy Bryant, Bryant Farms; Packing Shed

 

Cattle/Beef

Avery — Grant Award: $4,000; Ruth McCloud, McCloud Farms; Bulk Grain Bin

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Rick Rhinehart, Ruby Brown Farm; Multi-use Shed Facility & Future Farm Store

Cherokee — Grant Award: $8,000; Keith Wood, Wood Farm LLC; Grass Fed Beef Fly Trap

Graham — Grant Award: $8,000; Matthew Nichols, Nichols Beef Farm; Working Facilities and Bulk Feed Trailer

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Lisa and Dennis Braswell, Braswell Mountain Farms; Hay Storage Facility

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Alvin Blake Brown, Brown’s Farm Ridge; Improving Performance of Grazing System

 

Corn

Cleveland — Grant Award: $8,000; Rodney and Lynn Willis, Willis Farms; 2 Row Vacuum Planter

 

Diversification

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Chris Sawyer, Jake’s Farm; Expansion and Diversification

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Joan Walker, Fiddlesticks Farm; Season Extension Infrastructure Improvements

 

Equipment/Supplies

Avery — Grant Award: $4,000; Ruth McCloud, McCloud Farms; Bulk Grain Bin

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Michael Adams, Kestrel Herb Farm; Batch Dryer

Cherokee — Grant Award: $8,000; Keith Wood, Wood Farm LLC; Grass Fed Beef Fly Trap

Cleveland — Grant Award: $8,000; Rodney and Lynn Willis, Willis Farms; 2 Row Vacuum Planter

Graham — Grant Award: $8,000; Matthew Nichols, Nichols Beef Farm; Working Facilities and Bulk Feed Trailer

Haywood — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Keeter and Mark McDonagh, Mighty Gnome Market Garden; Walk-in Cooler for Farm Expansion and Agritourism Safety

Henderson — Grant Award: $8,000; Nicole Coston, Bearwallow Valley Farms; Wholesale and Process Improvement Plan

Macon — Grant Award: $8,000; John Cantrell, Mashburn Branch Vineyard; Small Winery Completion

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Emily Patrick, Carolina Flowers; Dried Flower Processing Chamber

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm; Gothic High Tunnel

McDowell — Grant Award: $8,000; Chue and Tou Lee, Lee’s One Fortune Farm; Rice Huller

Transylvania — Grant Award: $8,000; Nikki Sentelle Denson, River Bottom Bounty Farm; Tunneling Tomatoes

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Alvin Blake Brown, Brown’s Farm Ridge; Improving Performance of Grazing System

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Susan Owen, The Lily Patch Farm; Sorting, Storage, and Cooling Shed for Pawpaw

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; William Petty-Johnson, Mountain Flowers Hemp; Solventless Cannabinoid Extraction/Value Added Product Production

 

Expansion

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Chris Sawyer, Jake’s Farm; Expansion and Diversification

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kathleen and Michael Balogh, Mountain Meadows Nursery; Nursery Irrigation and Expansion

Haywood — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Keeter and Mark McDonagh, Mighty Gnome Market Garden; Walk-in Cooler for Farm Expansion and Agritourism Safety

Polk — Grant Award: $8,000; Cheryl Judge-Decker, Paint Horse Flower Farm; Greenhouse to Expand Production

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Alvin Blake Brown, Brown’s Farm Ridge; Improving Performance of Grazing System

 

Farm Stand/Store

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Rick Rhinehart, Ruby Brown Farm; Multi-use Shed Facility & Future Farm Store

Burke — Grant Award: $8,000; William Russ, Russwood Farms; Store Front

McDowell — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Hutchison, Beacon Village Farm, LLC; Farm Store

 

Fencing

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Tommy and Danni Speight, Bluff Mountain Nursery; Fencing for Katahdin Sheep

 

Flowers

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Mandy Hornick, Blue Ridge Blooms; Covered High Tunnels

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Joan Walker, Fiddlesticks Farm; Season Extension Infrastructure Improvements

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Emily Patrick, Carolina Flowers; Dried Flower Processing Chamber

Polk — Grant Award: $8,000; Cheryl Judge-Decker, Paint Horse Flower Farm; Greenhouse to Expand Production

 

Fruit

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Susan Owen, The Lily Patch Farm; Sorting, Storage, and Cooling Shed for Pawpaw

 

Goats

Cleveland — Grant Award: $8,000; Clinton Walker and Debbie Brentlinger, North Carolina Kikos; Project Kiko Cash

 

Greenhouse

Haywood — Grant Award: $8,000; William Wright, Wright Way Nursery; Wright’s Liner Greenhouse

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm; Gothic High Tunnel

Polk — Grant Award: $8,000; Cheryl Judge-Decker, Paint Horse Flower Farm; Greenhouse to Expand Production

 

Hemp

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; William Petty-Johnson, Mountain Flowers Hemp; Solventless Cannabinoid Extraction/Value Added Product Production

 

Herbs

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Chris Sawyer, Jake’s Farm; Expansion and Diversification

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Michael Adams, Kestrel Herb Farm; Batch Dryer

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Tommy and Danni Speight, Bluff Mountain Nursery; Fencing for Katahdin Sheep

 

High Tunnel Hoop House

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Mandy Hornick, Blue Ridge Blooms; Covered High Tunnels

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Joan Walker, Fiddlesticks Farm; Season Extension Infrastructure Improvements

Henderson — Grant Award: $8,000; Paul Shoemaker, Holly Springs Farm; Vegetable Season Extension Project

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm; Gothic High Tunnel

Transylvania — Grant Award: $8,000; Nikki Sentelle Denson, River Bottom Bounty Farm; Tunneling Tomatoes

 

Irrigation

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kathleen and Michael Balogh, Mountain Meadows Nursery; Nursery Irrigation and Expansion

Transylvania — Grant Award: $8,000; Nikki Sentelle Denson, River Bottom Bounty Farm; Tunneling Tomatoes

 

Land Improvements

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kate and Fairman Jayne, Sandy Mush Herb Nursery; Farm Visit Improvements

 

Livestock

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Tommy and Danni Speight, Bluff Mountain Nursery; Fencing for Katahdin Sheep

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; Lisa and Dennis Braswell, Braswell Mountain Farms; Hay Storage Facility

 

Marketing

Cleveland — Grant Award: $8,000; Clinton Walker and Debbie Brentlinger, North Carolina Kikos; Project Kiko Cash

 

Natural Products

Cherokee — Grant Award: $8,000; Keith Wood, Wood Farm LLC; Grass Fed Beef Fly Trap

 

Nursery

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kathleen and Michael Balogh, Mountain Meadows Nursery; Nursery Irrigation and Expansion

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kate and Fairman Jayne, Sandy Mush Herb Nursery; Farm Visit Improvements

Haywood — Grant Award: $8,000; William Wright, Wright Way Nursery; Wright’s Liner Greenhouse

 

Organic

McDowell — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Hutchison, Beacon Village Farm, LLC; Farm Store

 

Processing/Production

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Michael Adams, Kestrel Herb Farm; Batch Dryer

Cleveland — Grant Award: $8,000; Clinton Walker and Debbie Brentlinger, North Carolina Kikos; Project Kiko Cash

Henderson — Grant Award: $8,000; Nicole Coston, Bearwallow Valley Farms; Wholesale and Process Improvement Plan

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Emily Patrick, Carolina Flowers; Dried Flower Processing Chamber

McDowell — Grant Award: $8,000; Chue and Tou Lee, Lee’s One Fortune Farm; Rice Huller

Watauga — Grant Award: $8,000; William Petty-Johnson, Mountain Flowers Hemp; Solventless Cannabinoid Extraction/Value Added Product Production

Yancey — Grant Award: $8,000; Billy Bryant, Bryant Farms; Packing Shed

 

Produce

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Joan Walker, Fiddlesticks Farm; Season Extension Infrastructure Improvements

Haywood — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Keeter and Mark McDonagh, Mighty Gnome Market Garden; Walk-in Cooler for Farm Expansion and Agritourism Safety

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm; Gothic High Tunnel

 

Sorghum

Cleveland — Grant Award: $8,000; Rodney and Lynn Willis, Willis Farms; 2 Row Vacuum Planter

 

Tomatoes

Henderson — Grant Award: $8,000; Paul Shoemaker, Holly Springs Farm; Vegetable Season Extension Project

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm; Gothic High Tunnel

 

Trees

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Kate and Fairman Jayne, Sandy Mush Herb Nursery; Farm Visit Improvements

 

U-Pick

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Maxine Hodges, Blossom Ridge Orchard; New Apple, Berry, and Flower Irrigation System

Burke — Grant Award: $8,000; William Russ, Russwood Farms; Store Front

 

Vegetables

Buncombe — Grant Award: $8,000; Joan Walker, Fiddlesticks Farm; Season Extension Infrastructure Improvements

Henderson — Grant Award: $8,000; Nicole Coston, Bearwallow Valley Farms; Wholesale and Process Improvement Plan

Henderson — Grant Award: $8,000; Paul Shoemaker, Holly Springs Farm; Vegetable Season Extension Project

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Tommy and Danni Speight, Bluff Mountain Nursery; Fencing for Katahdin Sheep

Madison — Grant Award: $8,000; Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm; Gothic High Tunnel

McDowell — Grant Award: $8,000; Danielle Hutchison, Beacon Village Farm, LLC; Farm Store

Yancey — Grant Award: $8,000; Billy Bryant, Bryant Farms; Packing Shed

 

Vineyard

Macon — Grant Award: $8,000; John Cantrell, Mashburn Branch Vineyard; Small Winery Completion