Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

2021 Recipient: John Queen Farms

John Queen III, John Queen Farms Hydraulic Squeeze Chute and Digital Scales for Heifer Development Grant Award: $6,000 John runs a stocker operation on his fourth-generation family farm, grazing about 500 head of cattle annually. He plans to purchase a … View >>

2021 Recipient: KT’s Orchard and Apiary

KT, KT’s Orchard and Apiary Apple Sorting and Packing Project: Upgrading Farm Efficiency Grant Award: $6,000 Having already purchased a used apple sorter from a neighboring county’s N.C. Cooperative Extension Center, KT will be converting an existing barn into an … View >>

2021 Recipient: Saturnia Farm

Sarah Coury and Ben Pick, Saturnia Farm Nursery, Flower & Farm Goods Delivery Service Grant Award: $6,000 In spring of 2020 as the COVID-19 crisis was unfolding, Saturnia Farm started a plant delivery service between Waynesville and Asheville. An immediate … View >>

2021 Recipient: Smart Farm

Donald Smart, Smart Farm Hay Loader for Beef Cattle Operation Grant Award: $3,000 Farming in multiple counties, Don raises 40 head of cattle and produces all his own cattle feed at two farm sites. He bales and loads 1200 lb. … View >>

2021 Recipient: Two Trees Farm

Sara Martin and Dustin Cornelison, Two Trees Farm / Sustainabillies, LLC Livestock Pasture and Barn Grant Award: $3,000 Sara and Dustin plan have installed fencing to create a new pasture, purchased a livestock guardian animal and built a barn suitable … View >>

2020 Recipient: Saturnia Farm

Sarah Coury and Ben Pick, Saturnia Farm Nursery Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 Saturnia Farm, a specialty perennial and native plant nursery, made needed renovations on the farm to expand nursery offerings.  They made improvements to an existing high tunnel, with … View >>

2020 Recipient: Gerald Rathbone

Gerald Rathbone Feed Bin for Lamb Operation Grant Award: $3,000 Having grown up on a tobacco and dairy farm, Gerald has been farming his entire life. His successful sheep operation brings in an average of $16,000 a year and has … View >>

2019 Recipient: Two Trees Farm

Sara Martin and Dustin Cornelison, Two Trees Farm / Sustainabillies Outdoor Kitchen and Classroom Space Grant Award: $6,000 Sara and Dustin have built a covered multi-purpose outdoor space that functions as a kitchen, classroom, cold storage, washing and packing area … View >>

2019 Recipient: Rice Family Farms

Beauford Rice, Rice Family Farms Portable Corral Grant Award: $6,000 With the addition of a Rawhide portable corral system, Rice Family Farms now has the needed equipment to safely and efficiently work their cattle. Since their cattle are located on … View >>