Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Mitchell County trout producer, Alex Glover, was funded through the WNC Ag Options Program to promote and expand Little Switzerland Trout Farm. After the dry spell this summer, low water levels, inadequate water flow and high temperatures were too difficult … View >>
Maverick Farms is a 45 acre, second-generation family farm in Watauga County. With the WNC Ag Options Grant, a passive-solar greenhouse was constructed. The greenhouse will help the farm through the typical late-spring freezes and early fall frosts that occur … View >>
Agri-Tourism Amy and Jamie Ager, owners of Spring House Meats, are using the WNC Ag Options grant to diversify their farm by adding a corn maze for agri-tourism and offering educational programming to local youth and student groups in … View >>
Crop Diversification The Chamber’s family farm has been situated on the same land in Cherokee County since the early 1800’s. Chris Chambers and his wife Amy relocated to the farm with the goal to keep the land in agricultural … View >>
Busy Bee Farms is part of the Century Whitmire Farm, which has been in the same family for over 100 years. With help from the WNC Ag Options Grant, Andy VonCanon and Brittany Whitmire keep bees and sell all natural … View >>
Livestock Bill Boone used the WNC Ag Options Grant to ease the transition out of tobacco and allow him to focus on cattle and goat production. The Boone family has owned and farmed Turkey Branch Farm in Madison County since … View >>
Mitchell County Agriculture Agents are working with Bobby Ray Yelton on a potato field, grown with help from the WNC Ag Options Grant. Mitchell County Contact the Local Extension Agent
In an effort to boost blueberry production, Macon County farmers Bob and Teresa Bouchonnet purchased a new irrigation system with the WNC Ag Options Grant. Macon County Contact the Local Extension Agent
Agri-Tourism Judith Hansen and Tom Hare of Briar Rose Farm, a diverse 160 acre old mountain farm in Madison County, have used the WNC Ag Options Grant to expand their agri-tourism operation to include a nature trail for farm guests … View >>
Livestock In an effort to conserve her family farm, Carolyn Bradley has used the WNC Ag Options grant to help her transition from conventional to grass-finished beef production in Madison County. Madison County Contact the Local Extension Agent
Crop Diversification Former tobacco grower in Madison County, Craig Edwards, will use the WNC Ag Options Grant to convert two acres of tillable land that has previously been used to grow tobacco in order to grow broccoli and sweet … View >>
Crop Diversification Former tobacco growers, Joe and Devon Deal are using the WNC Ag Options grant to increase their production of sorghum syrup. The grant is enabling the Deals to grow a product not commonly produced in the area. … View >>
Agri-Tourism Bruce DeGroot and Karen Mickler have used the WNC Ag Options Grant to improve the road between their dairy and pottery studio to enhance tourists’ experience on their farm. Yellow Branch Farm is located in Graham County. Visit … View >>
Agri-Tourism With the WNC Ag Options Grant, Diane Cornett Deal will be able to expand services offered at her choose and cut operation in Watauga County. Equipment purchased with the grant includes a “tree shaker” to remove excess needles … View >>
Tobacco grower George Hughes is growing a crop of Kennebec potatoes planted in a former tobacco field he transitioned with help from the WNC Ag Options Grant. Mitchell County Contact the Local Extension Agent
The Cornett’s purchased a new trailer with help from the WNC Ag Options grant. After Glenn Cornett stopped growing tobacco, he decided to supplement farm income by harvesting downed timber and investing in a portable sawmill. The new trailer will … View >>