Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Recipients of 2022 farm grants reflect the strength of the agricultural system in western North Carolina by growing their farm businesses and demonstrating innovative agricultural projects Forty-one farm businesses in western North Carolina were awarded a total of $320,000 in … View >>
The 2022 WNC AgOptions grant cycle is closed. Please check back in March for the list of the 2022 grantees! The 2023 cycle will launch in the late summer. Please email us HERE to be notified!
Farm grantees show resilience in the face of COVID WNC AgOptions grantees receive $219,000 for farm projects ASHEVILLE, N.C.—Farmers in western North Carolina are receiving support to expand, diversify and modify operations in the midst of a pandemic. WNC Agricultural … View >>
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 2, 2020 Contact: Jennifer Ferre, (828) 252-4783, admin@wncagoptions.org; Or the local N.C. Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent Grant recipients reflect strength of WNC farmers WNC AgOptions grantees receive $216,000 in farm grants to expand … View >>
The Year-End Dinner was held on November 8th, 2019 at the Addison Farms Vineyard, a 2019 WNC AgOptions grantee.. Over 50 people were in attendance, including representation from 18 of the 39 projects, members of Cooperative Extension, WNC Communities and … View >>
Honey products from 2018 AgOptions grant recipient, Bee Naturally, can now be found at the gift shops for the Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read the full article online at the McDowell News, Click Here
The WNC Agricultural Options recently awarded grants to 35 farm-related businesses. One of these grants is $6,000 for a planned meadery in downtown Marion. (Read more.) The McDowell News Feb. 7, 2017
Awarded projects often have high potential for demonstration to other diversifying growers in the region. Susan Owen of The Lily Patch Farm in Watauga County, who is expanding her pawpaw orchard, said that the native fruit has potential in all … View >>
Amos and Kaci Nidiffer, owners of Trosly Farms in Elk Park, was one of the WNC AgOptions Grant Award: $6,000 grants, with the intention of using the funding for high tunnel season extension on his property. (See more). Avery Journal … View >>
For the second time, 2015 Grant Recipient Mikell’s Farm Honey has won the Annual International Black Jar Honey Contest for best SOURWOOD honey. Sourwood is the prized and well-known honey of the southern Appalachian mountains. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Recipients of 2017 farm grants reflect the growing strength of the diversified agricultural system in western North Carolina. WNC Agricultural Options awarded 35 farm businesses a total of $201,000 in $3,000 and $6,000 grants on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at … View >>
WNC Agricultural Options is now accepting grant applications from farmers diversifying or expanding their businesses. The program helps offset farmers’ risk of starting ventures or growing new operations with Grant Award: $3,000 and Grant Award: $6,000 grants. The application deadline … View >>
2011 AgOptions recipient, Nicole Decogliano, is helping develop new farmer training! Organic Growers School is launching Farm Beginnings®, a yearlong farmer training course beginning on October 24th, 2015. For more information, Click Here.
2008 recipient farm Spinning Spider Creamery and 2012 recipient English Farmstead Cheese have been working hard on a project aimed at raising awareness of the region’s artisanal cheese crafters: the Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest. Slated for Sunday, April 26, at … View >>
Farmers in Western North Carolina will branch out with new crops and alternative growing methods, thanks to 31 grants totaling $168,000 given out by WNC AgOptions. The grants, funded by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, help farmers offset the … View >>
Stacey Costner and Alexander Meander, operators of Living Earth Sanctuary and Wild Dahlia Homestead, were the recipients of one of 31 WNC AgOptions Grants. The Grant Award: $6,000 grant will help them with projects in native and perennial food crops … View >>