Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
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 >>
Western North Carolina farmers are gaining much-needed support in diversifying or expanding their operations this year, helping some grow to a whole new level. WNC Agricultural Options presented 31 farm businesses a total of $168,000 in grants on Thursday at … View >>
Western North Carolina farmers are gaining support in diversifying or expanding their operations. WNC Agricultural Options presented 31 farm businesses a total of $168,000 in grants Feb. 12 at an event at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center … View >>
Wild Dahlia Homestead is getting help to revitalize the family farm. 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 … View >>
Western North Carolina farmers are gaining much-needed support in diversifying or expanding their operations this year, helping some grow to a whole new level. WNC Agricultural Options presented 31 farm businesses a total of $168,000 in grants on Thursday at … View >>
Polk County NEWS JOURNAL October 8, 2014 (Read Article)
Once a thriving method for processing grain, communal gristmills have all but disappeared, supplanted by large commercial versions. Stephen Robertson of East Fork Farm is working to bring back the old ways by restoring an antique mill. (Read More) — … View >>
The tobacco raised by Western North Carolina farmers once provided a good cash crop for a product deemed unsafe by the U.S. Surgeon General. Now farmers could make good money raising herbs for better health through traditional Chinese medicine. (Read … View >>
Amid the gentle hills and rolling pastures that surround the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, local farmers left their work behind on Thursday, Feb. 27, to attend the WNC Agricultural Options 2014 Award Ceremony. (Read … View >>
A program that has fostered farm diversification, innovation and profitability in a midst of a transitioning agriculture economy is celebrating its 10th year of awarding grants to assist farmers. WNC Agricultural Options presented 29 farm businesses in western North Carolina … View >>
WNC Agricultural Options’ 10th annual grant cycle is under way. With funding from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, WNC AgOptions will award a total of $153,000 to diversifying farmers in western North Carolina in 2014. Farmers have until Dec. … View >>