Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

2021 Recipient: Pine Row Farm

Jeff and Terri Phillips, Pine Row Farm Farm Store Grant Award: $6,000 Terri and Jeff are approaching retirement and are working to generate an income from their family farm. To meet increasing demand for their farm-raised beef, pork, chicken and … View >>

2020 Recipient: Pine Row Farm

Jeff C. Phillips, Pine Row Farm Farm Store Grant Award: $6,000 With the help of a 2018 WNC AgOptions grant to boost their heritage hog operation, the Phillips were able to successfully expand their pork products. Since demand for their … View >>

2018 Recipient: Double 00 Farm

Sophia Annette Ensley, Double 00 Farm Breed Preservation and Increased Production Grant Award: $3,000 Double 00 Farm has increased the size of their Large Black Hogs herd, a threatened breed of foraging hog that produces a micro-marbled meat. Their grant … View >>

2018 Recipient: Pine Row Farm

Jeff C. Phillips, Pine Row Farm Pasture Raised Heritage Hogs Grant Award: $6,000 As hogs are making a comeback in Graham County, Pine Row Farm used their grant to expand their pastured heritage hog operation. By using a rotating pasture … View >>

2017 Recipient: Wehrloom Honey

Jessica Wehr, Wehrloom Honey Mead Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 Jessica and Aron have added a meadery to the Wehrloom Honey Retail Store and Educational Center in Robbinsville. While making wine out of honey is unique in itself, they also have … View >>

2015 Recipient: Wehrloom Honey

  Jessica responded to customer demand for value-added products by creating three new product lines: cut-comb honey, spun honey and pollen. She purchased specialized equipment to harvest, process and market these products. Cut-comb honey is a piece of honey filled … View >>

2014 Recipient: Pressley Hollow Farm

John and Megan Pressley, Pressley Hollow Farm Truffle Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 John and Megan are diversifying their third generation family farm with the addition of a one-acre truffle orchard. They prepared the site, amended the soil, installed an irrigation … View >>

2013 Recipient: Taylors Greenhouse

  Karen Taylor, Taylors Greenhouse Herbal Options Grant Award: $3,000 Karen is broadening her customers’ knowledge of herbs by selling culinary and medicinal herbal plants as well as hosting hands-on workshops where participants work closely with the herbs. Each month, … View >>

2012 Recipient: Apple Valley Orchard

James Phillips and Danny Edwards, Apple Valley Orchard Orchard Establishment Grant Award: $3,000 James and Danny are establishing a one-acre orchard. They are planting 200 hundred apple trees and installing an irrigation system. No other orchard currently exists in the … View >>

2011 Recipient: Jeff Mansker

Jeff Mansker Anderson Creek Apiary Grant Award: $3,000 — Honey House and Extractor Jeff is building a honey room and purchasing an extractor to allow greater production of Premier Sourwood Honey, increase storage space and expand his overall operation. Jeff’s … View >>

2010 Recipient: Jean Taylor

Jean Taylor Heirloom Vegetable Plant Production Grant Award: $6,000 In response to the high demand for heirloom vegetables, Jean is expanding her bedding plant operation by increasing her heated space and purchasing additional materials. She supplies other small growers with … View >>

2009 Recipient: Stoney Hollow Farms

Scott Boxberger, Stoney Hollow Farms & Stephanie Loafman, Five Sisters Stoney Hollow Farm Kitchen – Grant Award: $6,000 “The kitchen has increased farm income, and it makes a better use of the crop. There’s no waste.” ~ Stephanie Loafman “We … 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 >>