Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

2008 Recipient: Andrew Jones

Andrew Jones of Clay County is growing his goat operation by building shelter, constructing fencing and renovating pasture. The land in Fires Creek where he farms has been in his family’s hands for four generations, and now he resides there … View >>

2008 Recipient: Bobby Williams

Bobby Williams of Graham County is starting a nursery specializing in native plants. He propagates more than 200 varieties, often times from seed collected in his nearby woods. He sells to nurseries, farmers’ markets and individuals, advertising in local newspapers. … View >>

2008 Recipient: Brad Martin

Brad Martin of Buncombe County is developing an 8-acre hay field into the main growing site for his new nursery business, Southeastern Natives. He is constructing a greenhouse, cold frame, shade house and irrigation system.   Buncombe County Contact the … View >>

2008 Recipient: Doubletree Farm

For Cathy and Andy Bennett, owners of Doubletree Farm in Madison County, the grant is helping them keep Appalachian traditions alive. They are using the knowledge about molasses-making they’ve gained from their neighbors Peggy and Nathan Harmon, whose ancestors made … View >>

2008 Recipient: Chad Calhoun

With the help of the grant, Chad Calhoun of Mitchell County is encouraging his family’s multi-generational tradition of farming to continue. He is establishing a U-Pick strawberry operation with the assistance of his two daughters, since they are interested in … View >>

2008 Recipient: Chris and Rachel Leek

Chris and Rachel Leek of Haywood County are propagating flowers and herbs on their urban lot to sell to restaurants, retailers and individuals. With the grant, they are constructing a small greenhouse and installing a drip irrigation system using water … View >>

2008 Recipient: Coy Griffin

Coy Griffin of Madison County, a former tobacco grower, is improving his horse boarding business by modernizing and expanding his 30-year-old building, which was once a tobacco barn. He hopes the improvements will help him board more horses and ensure … View >>

2008 Recipient: Dale Robertson

Dale Robertson, farm manager of the camp Gwynn Valley in Transylvania County, is automating his milking operation to improve educational opportunities for campers. The clear tubing of his automatic milker allows children at the camp to view the entire milking … View >>

2008 Recipient: Diane Almond

Diane Almond, owner of Honey Bees and Heather in Henderson County, is developing her nursery and apiary into an agri-tourism destination and educational resource for local residents. With the grant, she is increasing the number of bee hives and blueberry … View >>