Current News

It’s the time of year again for local farmers to test their ingenuity for some extra money and a path toward future success. Now in its eighth year, WNC Agricultural Options will award $150,000 to about 35 farm businesses and … View >>

Randy and Megan Smith want others to know exactly what a difference Grant Award: $6,000 can make to a farmer. The Smiths expanded their pasture poultry operation via a Grant Award: $6,000 grant from the WNC Agricultural Options grant program … View >>

North Carolina farmers are the latest target of the Legislature, where the Republican majority is trying to eliminate a grant program that has enabled many farmers to survive. At a family farm where profit margins are thin and unforgiving, a … View >>

The N.C. House’s version of the state budget proposes to permanently eliminate the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, putting that money into the General Fund to help cover the budget shortfall. Since 2001, the Tobacco Trust Fund has received an annual … View >>

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 >>

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 >>