Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
A Step in the Right Direction. This morning, the North Carolina State Senate Appropriations subcommittee released a draft budget that includes funding and support for the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. This isn’t a win yet – the Senate … View >>
N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission has very wisely invested the Master Settlement monies back into rural communities to help this state’s farmers survive the major transitions in agriculture created by the demise of tobacco as a cash crop for family … View >>
Ron and Cheryl Searcy’s company motto easily could be “Have goats, will travel.” If you’ve got the weeds, they’ve got the goats — about 300 of them. And they’re glad to bring them to your property, set up a fence … View >>
In support of local agriculture, Madison County farmers received a boost last week to assist in diversification, marketing and distribution efforts. With the help of $33,000 in grants from the WNC Agricultural Options program, seven local farmers will receive funding … View >>
The WNC Agricultural Options program recently awarded Trosly Farm in Elk Park a grant to assist in farm diversification and marketing and distribution efforts….. “We… want to maximize the use of our [5-acre] farm and make it as productive as … View >>
The WNC Agricultural Options program recently awarded Trosly Farm in Elk Park a grant to assist in farm diversification and marketing and distribution efforts. Trosly Farm is a small family farm operated by Amos and Kaci Nidiffer. The Nidiffers are … View >>
A Swain farming operation received a Grant Award: $6,000 grant to breed heritage birds. Mike and Joan Glover of Sleepy Hollow Farm are purchasing Buckeyes and Partridge Chanteclers — breeds on the near-extinct list. They are also hatching their own … View >>
The Watauga County Farmers Market and six local farms received funding in the latest round of WNC AgOptions grants for farm diversification. The farmers market received $18,000 for a site analysis and expansion as the market looks for a new … View >>
Diversification project never tasted so good. Now in its eighth year, WNC AgOptions has tilled ever-deeper soil when it comes to the possibility of agricultural expansion. Administered by the N.C. Cooperative Extension and supported by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund … View >>
Smith’s Sweet Grass Farm in Columbus recently was awarded a Grant Award: $6,000 All Natural Pastured Poultry Project grant from WNC AgOptions. This grant is available for all farmers or people trying to start [economically] sustainable farming in Polk County. … View >>
Jackson, ag center to lead four grant projects totaling more than $58k. Carol Lynn Jackson of Saluda and the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center under the direction of Lynn Sprague have received four grant awards, one federal and three regional, … View >>
For 40 years the Stepp family grew apples in Henderson County. Now, with Larry Stepp Jr. having taken the reins of the family business from his father, Larry Sr., Stepp’s Plants etc. sells flowers, three types of berries and vegetables … View >>
The idea behind Hop’n Blueberry Farm in Black Mountain, North Carolina, is simple: take a farm that is not productive and re-imagine it. For owner Van Burnette, this re-envisioning has taken the shape of a farm that exists primarily for … View >>