In January 2026 the WNC Agricultural Options program awarded 44 farm businesses a total of $440,000 in grants to assist in farm diversification and expansion.
Each of the farm businesses received $10,000. 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
Agritourism
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Myco Rhizing LLC, Apiary Upgrade
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Crow Fly Farms, Agritourism Event Space
Apples
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV), Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Shady Lane Farm, Farm Improvement through Upgraded Equipment
Bees
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Myco Rhizing LLC, Apiary Upgrade
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Brindle and Brown Apiary LLC, Honey Extraction & Processing Upgrades
Jackson — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee Man Jones, Honey Extraction Improvement and Value-added Processing
Transylvania — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee. honey + hive LLC, Enhancing Capacity and Food Safety with Climate Control
Berries
Madison — Grant Award: $10,000; The Berry Farm, LLC, Irrigation Upgrade and Value-Added Expansions
Buildings
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Myco Rhizing LLC, Apiary Upgrade
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Ortiz Cattle & Co., Covered Working & Feed Cattle Barn
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Always Love Gardens, Propagation House
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Shelton Laurel Farm, Hay Storage/Multi-Purpose Structure
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Ranch Vista Farm, Egg Facility
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Crow Fly Farms, Agritourism Event Space
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Scotts Farm, Multi-Use Facility
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Sunshine Cove Farm, Wash and Pack Facility
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Farms, Cornmeal/Grits Processing Facility
Cattle
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Ortiz Cattle & Co., Covered Working & Feed Cattle Barn
Burke — Grant Award: $10,000; Sisk Family Farm, Cattle Handling Improvements
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Scism Farm, Cattle Diversification
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Danny Hyatt Farms, Cattle Working Squeeze Chute
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Dennis Francis Farm, Walk-in Freezer to Increase Sales of Home-Grown Beef from Farm to Table
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Shelton Laurel Farm, Hay Storage/Multi-Purpose Structure
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Family Farms NC LLC, Cold Storage Expansion
Mitchell — Grant Award: $10,000; Heifer Holler, Cattle Handling Equipment
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Ellis Cattle Company, Improving Genetics
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Scotts Farm, Multi-Use Facility
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; River Raine Cattle, Cattle Working/Management Project
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Wyatt Town River Oak Farms, Mobile Beef Cattle Handling Equipment
Chickens
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Family Farms NC LLC, Cold Storage Expansion
Cold Storage
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Black Trumpet Farm, Enhanced Cold Storage for Improved Post-Harvest Quality in Gourmet Mushrooms
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Dennis Francis Farm, Walk-in Freezer to Increase Sales of Home-Grown Beef from Farm to Table
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Pinnacle Farms, Walk-in Cooler
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Family Farms NC LLC, Cold Storage Expansion
Cornmeal
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Farms, Cornmeal/Grits Processing Facility
Disease & Pest Prevention
Avery — Grant Award: $10,000; D and J Trees, Soil Amendments to Reduce the Effects of Phytophthora Root Rot on Fraser Firs
Graham — Grant Award: $10,000; Stoney Hollow Farm, High Tunnel Fruit Production
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Shady Lane Farm, Farm Improvement through Upgraded Equipment
Dairy
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Mountain Woodlands LLC, Quality Forage Production
Diversification
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Scism Farm, Cattle Diversification
Polk — Grant Award: $10,000; TK Family Farm LLC, Orchard Harvest/Work Platform
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Shady Lane Farm, Farm Improvement through Upgraded Equipment
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Farms, Cornmeal/Grits Processing Facility
Eggs
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Ranch Vista Farm, Egg Facility
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Family Farms NC LLC, Cold Storage Expansion
Equipment
Avery — Grant Award: $10,000; D and J Trees, Soil Amendments to Reduce the Effects of Phytophthora Root Rot on Fraser Firs
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Biome Botanicals, Enhancing Efficiency and Profitability through Diversification
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Blazing Star Flowers, Heated Propagation Greenhouse
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Ivy Creek Family Farm, Cooling for the Present and Future
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Mountain Woodlands LLC, Quality Forage Production
Cherokee — Grant Award: $10,000; Valleytown Farm, Square Bale Improvement
Clay — Grant Award: $10,000; Moore Natural Farm, Expand to Commercial Hay Production and Improve Forage Quality
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Brindle and Brown Apiary LLC, Honey Extraction & Processing Upgrades
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Danny Hyatt Farms, Cattle Working Squeeze Chute
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Burntshirt Vineyards, LLC, CIMA Model T.300.45 RST Vineyard Sprayer
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Tiny Bridge Farm, Addressing Farm Viability Through Higher Yields, Labor-Saving Efficiencies, and Access to Markets for Production Vegetable Farm
Jackson — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee Man Jones, Honey Extraction Improvement and Value-added Processing
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV), Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment
Mitchell — Grant Award: $10,000; Heifer Holler, Cattle Handling Equipment
Rutherford — Grant Award: $10,000; The Henderstead, Mobile Sheep Handling System
Swain — Grant Award: $10,000; Hidden Hollow Hemp and Veggie Farm, Enhanced Farm Resilience and Sustainability
Transylvania — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee. honey + hive LLC, Enhancing Capacity and Food Safety with Climate Control
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Ellis Cattle Company, Improving Genetics
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Farms, Cornmeal/Grits Processing Facility
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; River Raine Cattle, Cattle Working/Management Project
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Shady Lane Farm, Farm Improvement through Upgraded Equipment
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Soil Shine Farm & Ferments, Elderberry Processing Kitchen
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Sweet Branch Farm & Forest, Wash and Pack Facility & Harvest Equipment
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Wyatt Town River Oak Farms, Mobile Beef Cattle Handling Equipment
Expansion
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Biome Botanicals, Enhancing Efficiency and Profitability through Diversification
Clay — Grant Award: $10,000; Moore Natural Farm, Expand to Commercial Hay Production and Improve Forage Quality
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Scism Farm, Cattle Diversification
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Ancestral Trout Farm Co., Expansion at Andy’s Trout Farm
Madison — Grant Award: $10,000; The Berry Farm, LLC, Irrigation Upgrade and Value-Added Expansions
Fish
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Ancestral Trout Farm Co., Expansion at Andy’s Trout Farm
Flowers
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Blazing Star Flowers, Heated Propagation Greenhouse
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Pinnacle Farms, Walk-in Cooler
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Sun Seeker Farm, Strengthening Farm Viability and Profitability Through Season Extension
Fraser Fir
Avery — Grant Award: $10,000; D and J Trees, Soil Amendments to Reduce the Effects of Phytophthora Root Rot on Fraser Firs
Fruit
Graham — Grant Award: $10,000; Stoney Hollow Farm, High Tunnel Fruit Production
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV), Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment
Madison — Grant Award: $10,000; The Berry Farm, LLC, Irrigation Upgrade and Value-Added Expansions
Fencing
Burke — Grant Award: $10,000; Sisk Family Farm, Cattle Handling Improvements
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Scism Farm, Cattle Diversification
Grapes
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV), Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment
Greenhouses
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Blazing Star Flowers, Heated Propagation Greenhouse
Graham — Grant Award: $10,000; Stoney Hollow Farm, High Tunnel Fruit Production
Hay
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Mountain Woodlands LLC, Quality Forage Production
Cherokee — Grant Award: $10,000; Valleytown Farm, Square Bale Improvement
Clay — Grant Award: $10,000; Moore Natural Farm, Expand to Commercial Hay Production and Improve Forage Quality
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Shelton Laurel Farm, Hay Storage/Multi-Purpose Structure
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Scotts Farm, Multi-Use Facility
Hemp
Swain — Grant Award: $10,000; Hidden Hollow Hemp and Veggie Farm, Enhanced Farm Resilience and Sustainability
Herbs
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Biome Botanicals, Enhancing Efficiency and Profitability through Diversification
High Tunnel Hoophouse
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Ivy Creek Family Farm, Cooling for the Present and Future
Graham — Grant Award: $10,000; Stoney Hollow Farm, High Tunnel Fruit Production
Swain — Grant Award: $10,000; Hidden Hollow Hemp and Veggie Farm, Enhanced Farm Resilience and Sustainability
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Sun Seeker Farm, Strengthening Farm Viability and Profitability Through Season Extension
Hogs
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Family Farms NC LLC, Cold Storage Expansion
Honey
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Myco Rhizing LLC, Apiary Upgrade
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Brindle and Brown Apiary LLC, Honey Extraction & Processing Upgrades
Jackson — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee Man Jones, Honey Extraction Improvement and Value-added Processing
Transylvania — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee. honey + hive LLC, Enhancing Capacity and Food Safety with Climate Control
Irrigation
Madison — Grant Award: $10,000; The Berry Farm, LLC, Irrigation Upgrade and Value-Added Expansions
Livestock
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Mountain Woodlands LLC, Quality Forage Production
Rutherford — Grant Award: $10,000; The Henderstead, Mobile Sheep Handling System
Meat
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Dennis Francis Farm, Walk-in Freezer to Increase Sales of Home-Grown Beef from Farm to Table
Mushrooms
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Black Trumpet Farm, Enhanced Cold Storage for Improved Post-Harvest Quality in Gourmet Mushrooms
Orchard
Polk — Grant Award: $10,000; TK Family Farm LLC, Orchard Harvest/Work Platform
Organic
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Always Love Gardens, Propagation House
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Tiny Bridge Farm, Addressing Farm Viability Through Higher Yields, Labor-Saving Efficiencies, and Access to Markets for Production Vegetable Farm
Processing/Production
Cleveland — Grant Award: $10,000; Brindle and Brown Apiary LLC, Honey Extraction & Processing Upgrades
Jackson — Grant Award: $10,000; Bee Man Jones, Honey Extraction Improvement and Value-added Processing
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Wild East Farm, Vegetable Production Post-Harvest Processing Facility Improvements
Polk — Grant Award: $10,000; TK Family Farm LLC, Orchard Harvest/Work Platform
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Sunshine Cove Farm, Wash and Pack Facility
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Edwards Farms, Cornmeal/Grits Processing Facility
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Soil Shine Farm & Ferments, Elderberry Processing Kitchen
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Sweet Branch Farm & Forest, Wash and Pack Facility & Harvest Equipment
Transportation
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Tiny Bridge Farm, Addressing Farm Viability Through Higher Yields, Labor-Saving Efficiencies, and Access to Markets for Production Vegetable Farm
Trout
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Ancestral Trout Farm Co., Expansion at Andy’s Trout Farm
Vegetables
Buncombe — Grant Award: $10,000; Ivy Creek Family Farm, Cooling for the Present and Future
Haywood — Grant Award: $10,000; Always Love Gardens, Propagation House
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Tiny Bridge Farm, Addressing Farm Viability Through Higher Yields, Labor-Saving Efficiencies, and Access to Markets for Production Vegetable Farm
McDowell — Grant Award: $10,000; Wild East Farm, Vegetable Production Post-Harvest Processing Facility Improvements
Swain — Grant Award: $10,000; Hidden Hollow Hemp and Veggie Farm, Enhanced Farm Resilience and Sustainability
Watauga — Grant Award: $10,000; Sunshine Cove Farm, Wash and Pack Facility
Yancey — Grant Award: $10,000; Sweet Branch Farm & Forest, Wash and Pack Facility & Harvest Equipment
Vineyard
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Burntshirt Vineyards, LLC, CIMA Model T.300.45 RST Vineyard Sprayer
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV), Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment
Winery
Henderson — Grant Award: $10,000; Burntshirt Vineyards, LLC, CIMA Model T.300.45 RST Vineyard Sprayer
Macon — Grant Award: $10,000; Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV), Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment