Farm Grants Aim to Strengthen Agribusinesses in WNC
WNC AgOptions grantees use funding to support sustainable futures
ASHEVILLE, N.C.— This year’s grant awards will support projects that improve farm efficiency, enabling growth and increasing income, which support the longevity of their farm businesses. Over half of the awarded recipients will invest in equipment and processes that will significantly improve the sustainability of their farm businesses by delivering efficiencies that directly affect their bottom line. Most recipients also produce food that is purchased in the communities where they farm.
Forty-four farm businesses in western North Carolina were awarded a total of $440,000 in WNC AgOptions cost-share grants in 2026.
The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission awarded WNC Communities a three-year grant for the WNC AgOptions program to provide over three-quarters of a million dollars to family farms in WNC through 2027. After pausing in 2025 due to the ongoing effects of TS Helene, the grant program is proceeding this year and aims to award the full grant amount by the end of 2027. “The WNC AgOptions program consistently strengthens local farm operations,” said Bill Teague, Chairman of the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. “These investments are helping producers boost farm income, enhance farm safety, and secure the future of their family farms.”
Family farms in western North Carolina continue to contribute to the local agricultural economy across the region. By creatively and deliberately finding ways to reduce costs, increase time efficiencies, and maximize labor, these farms aim to build sustainable models that keep operations profitable and support a strong local food system. Maintaining profitability is key to the success of any business, but small family farms face challenges other businesses do not, including seasonal production, weather, and pressure from land development. The WNC AgOptions cost-share grant program provides the means to further their efforts.
Bart Ramsey grew up around dairy farming, and today he continues the multigenerational farm. Western North Carolina was once home to numerous local dairies, but rising production costs and milk prices drove many out of business. “When our hay quality declines, we are forced to purchase more grain to maintain herd performance,” says Ramsey. As one of only two licensed dairies remaining in Buncombe County, Bart’s ability to produce consistent, high-quality forage directly affects the long-term sustainability of his business and contribution to the local food supply. Bart will use his grant to purchase a new mower, enabling him to optimize quality and improve the speed and reliability of his hay harvest. Bart estimates that improvements in forage productivity and harvest will increase milk production by 58,000 pounds per year.
Bobby Garrett has provided baby chicks to farming families and 4-H and FFA members from his Ranch Vista farm in Hendersonville since 2002. To diversify his chicken hatchery business and increase revenue, Bobby will expand by developing a 240-hen laying operation to supply eggs for consumption. “Everyone loves the taste of fresh cage-free chicken eggs,” explains Garrett. He will use his grant to construct a layer barn and will install feeders, waterers, and nesting boxes. He will also purchase heritage laying hen breeds such as Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. Bobby expects to provide over 6,000 dozen eggs to the local community in the first year.
In 2017, Yancey County farmer James Edwards began reviving Jimmy Red Corn, a 400-year-old heirloom variety that was nearly extinct. “By growing, grinding, and packaging this corn into unique cornmeal and grits, we have developed a distinct brand,” says James. This year, he will replace his current off-site workspace and centralize all processing steps into a single, efficient, food-safe location. This project will build a dedicated 24′ x 20′ post-harvest facility to improve processing and packaging processes. It will include a concrete slab, a pre-engineered metal building, utilities for milling and sanitation, and an interior designed for easy cleaning, with separate zones for stone grinding, packaging, and off-floor storage. This investment will streamline current operations, increase processing capacity, and reduce labor demands.
“By supporting farm families with essential resources, WNC AgOptions ensures that local agriculture doesn’t just survive, but thrives in western North Carolina,” said Karen Blaedow, chair of the WNC AgOptions Steering Committee. “N.C. Cooperative Extension is proud to serve as a partner in this program, valuing how it helps family farms expand, diversify, and remain sustainable for generations to come.”
The administrator of WNC AgOptions is WNC Communities, a nonprofit organization that has been supporting agriculture in the region since 1947. WNC Communities provides a unique forum for leaders in western North Carolina to carry out innovative programs to improve the quality of life for rural communities, and they manage programs to enhance the agriculture and forestry sectors in the region.
“WNC Communities is honored to serve as the administrator of this annual funding opportunity, supporting farmers as they strengthen their businesses and contribute to our regional economy,” said Jennifer Ferre, Executive Director of WNC Communities. “Strong local farms are essential to healthy rural communities, especially in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, as many continue to recover and rebuild. While we paused the program in 2025 to focus on immediate disaster response, we are proud to bring it back at a time when investment in our farms is more important than ever. With support from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, WNC AgOptions continues to strengthen our agricultural community, benefiting us all.”
Since 2004, WNC AgOptions has awarded more than $4 million to over 700 farm projects.