Press Releases

Grants boost farm profits, sustain businesses for future generations Projects include innovative hydroponic fodder system, micropropagation lab and no-till equipment FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 MILLS RIVER, NC — Western North Carolina farmers received $148,500 in WNC Agricultural … View >>

Grants help mountain region’s farms succeed WNC AgOptions intent to apply deadline Oct. 12; application deadline Nov. 16 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 Program Contact: Jennifer Ferre, (828) 333-4277, admin@wncagoptions.org; or the local N.C. Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent … View >>

Recipients trying new production techniques, reaching consumers directly, and preserving multi-generational farms.   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 26, 2012 MILLS RIVER, N.C. — Three farm groups and 23 farmers throughout Western North Carolina were awarded $150,000 in WNC Agricultural … View >>

Proceeds benefit program that aids mountain region’s diversifying farmers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2011   PROGRAM CONTACT: Jennifer Ferre, (828) 333-4277, admin@wncagoptions.org; MEDIA CONTACT: Megan Riley, (828) 333-4151, info@wncagoptions.org ASHEVILLE — The photographs and stories of more than fifty … View >>

Intent to apply deadline November 16; Application deadline December 1   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2011 Grant applicants should contact: Jennifer Ferre, (828) 333-4277, admin@wncagoptions.org; or their local Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent Media Contact: Megan Riley, (828) 333-4151, info@wncagoptions.org … View >>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2011 Small investments in farmer innovation can bring hefty economic rewards, according to a new study by researchers at the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNC-Greensboro. The study analyzes The Tobacco Communities Reinvestment … View >>

Note from WNC AgOptions: Last week, the N.C. House Appropriations Committee released a draft budget that proposes the elimination of N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, which has been instrumental in transitioning our region’s tobacco-dependent agricultural economy to a diverse system … View >>

Grants support diverse ventures, boost local agriculture system FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2011 MARSHALL — The WNC Agricultural Options program recently awarded six community groups and 47 farmers grants totaling $326,000 to assist them in farm diversification and joint … View >>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2010 Contact: Megan Riley, WNC AgOptions, (828) 333-4151, info@wncagoptions.org or your local Cooperative Extension Center. Grants to Boost Local Agriculture System WNC AgOptions application deadline November 22 MARSHALL — WNC Agricultural Options is introducing a … View >>

  WNC AgOptions Awards 2010 Farm Diversification Projects Grants for local farm product sales, pioneering ventures, and alternative markets The WNC Agricultural Options Program awarded 42 farmers seed grants totaling $225,000 last month to assist them in completing farm diversification … View >>