Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

Watauga farmers get $42,000 in grants

By Scott Nicholson Watauga Democrat, February 2011 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 … View >>

2010 News

Haywood hops farmer sets the bar high. Haywood County hops farmer Scott Grahl is a dreamer with his feet planted firmly on the ground. “One day a buddy of mine called and said ‘Did you know there is a worldwide hops shortage?'” Grahl said. “From then on, I’ve spent the last three years learning about this plant.”… View >>

2009 News

Hopping along: Hops farming comes to WNC. Cowzilla may be the only local hops lover who didn’t make an appearance at the inaugural Hops Farm Tour. The huge feral cow, christened Cowzilla by Julie Jensen, co-owner of Echo View at Landfair Farm in Weaverville, may have been intimidated by the more than 100 growers, home brewers and beer lovers… View >>

2008 Snapshot

Good News “This program has been a blessing and an education. I had no idea of any resources other than the few farmers in the area. The resources provided by this grant have been excellent!” “This grant has allowed me … View >>

2008 News

North Carolina vegetable growers carry on the Cherokee Tradition. Harold Long is full-blooded Cherokee Indian and proud of his heritage. Through his well-known Cherokee pottery and his extensive traditional Cherokee vegetable varieties, Long is doing his part to carry on Cherokee traditions.… View >>

2005 News

Madison Couple Look to the Sweet Fruits by John Boyle, Asheville Citizen-Times, June 20, 2005 Pam Zimmerman and her daughter, Ashley, handle a basket of black raspberries they picked Saturday at Zimmerman’s Berry Farm in Madison County. While berry income … View >>