Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Dennis Francis Farm Walk-in Freezer to Increase Sales of Home-Grown Beef from Farm to Table Grant Award: $10,000 Dennis has been raising beef cattle on his farm for 40 years. Since beef cattle are subject to commodity pricing and fluctuation, Dennis … View >>
Pinnacle Farms Walk-in Cooler Grant Award: $10,000 Jennifer has seen steady growth in cut-flower sales since she began growing in 2022. For 2026, she scaled up significantly with 350 newly planted peonies. These flowers have a short harvest window, and … View >>
Shelton Laurel Farm Hay Storage/Multi-Purpose Structure Grant Award: $10,000 Michael and his family transitioned out of tobacco farming by building their herd of beef cattle. They currently raise 30-40 cow-calf pairs on 70 acres and sell unneeded hay from 28 acres. … View >>
Burntshirt Vineyards CIMA Model T.300.45 RST Vineyard Sprayer Grant Award: $10,000 Burnshirt Vineyards planted their first grapes in 2012. Since then, they have constructed a wine production facility and tasting rooms, and currently have 30 acres in grape production. As their … View >>
Ranch Vista Farm Egg Facility Grant Award: $10,000 Ranch Vista has been selling hatched chicks and hatching eggs in Henderson and the surrounding counties since 2002. To diversify his chicken hatchery business and increase revenue, Bobby expanded by developing a … View >>
Tiny Bridge Farm Addressing Farm Viability Through Higher Yields, Labor-Saving Efficiencies, and Access to Markets for Production Vegetable Farm Grant Award: $10,000 Since starting on a ⅓-acre site in 2010, Tiny Bridge Farm has grown into the largest commercial organic … View >>
Beeman Jones Honey Extraction Improvement and Value-added Processing Grant Award: $10,000 Fred has approximately 25 beehives and sells 50-150 gallons of honey per year. His current operation is bottlenecked by the uncapping process: preparing frames for extraction takes nearly three hours, … View >>
Ancestral Trout Farm Co. Expansion at Andy’s Trout Farm Grant Award: $10,000 Andy’s Trout Farm focuses on agritourism, including fishing, lodging, and educational experiences, and has been in operation since 1965. Ancestral Trout Farm Co. was founded to serve as the … View >>
Mashburn Branch Vineyard (MBV) Mashburn Branch Vineyard Winery Equipment Grant Award: $10,000 Mashburn Branch Vineyard has been producing French hybrid wine grapes and muscadines since 2000 and has recently added cider apple and pear trees. After completing the winery building and … View >>
The Berry Farm, LLC Irrigation Upgrade and Value-Added Expansions Grant Award: $10,000 The Berry Farm is a Pick-Your-Own farm with an on-site farm stand. After operating for over 25 years the irrigation infrastructure is no longer functioning properly. When she had … View >>
Crow Fly Farms Agritourism Event Space Grant Award: $10,000 Crow Fly Farms has been selling lamb, pork, and beef through farmers’ markets, grocers, and restaurant clients. They also regularly host farm tours to showcase their regenerative practices and holistic management. Visitors … View >>
Edwards Family Farms NC Cold Storage Expansion Grant Award: $10,000 Edwards Family Farms started in 2019 and has grown to an annual production of over 800 meat chickens, 10-20 hogs, five beef cattle, and eggs from over 50 laying hens. They … View >>
Wild East Farm Vegetable Production Post-Harvest Processing Facility Improvements Grant Award: $10,000 Wild East Farm will upgrade their vegetable wash/pack systems to increase efficiency, improve working conditions, and scale their winter storage crop capacity. The project will enable them to move … View >>
Heifer Holler Cattle Handling Equipment Grant Award: $10,000 Wayne raises beef cattle and sells beef to his local community. This year, Wayne will install a fenced cattle-working area to increase efficiency and improve safety for him and his cattle. Wayne has … View >>
TK Family Farm LLC Orchard Harvest/Work Platform Grant Award: $10,000 TK Family Farm operates a 3.5-acre high-density orchard (expanding to 5 acres) within a 15-acre diversified farm in Polk County. With support from three prior AgOptions grants, the farm established its … View >>
The Henderstead Mobile Sheep Handling System Grant Award: $10,000 The Henderstead is a first-generation, veteran-owned family farm in Rutherford County raising pasture-based sheep and hogs. After transitioning to full-time farming in 2023, the farm has quickly expanded to 39 acres … View >>