Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Cheryl Judge-Decker, Paint Horse Flower Farm Greenhouse to Expand Production Grant Award: $8,000 To create a more sustainable and expanded operation, Paint Horse Flower Farm will install a 16′ x 40′ high-side greenhouse, including shutter fans and a gas heater, … View >>
Jon Klimstra, TK Family Farm Apple Cold Storage Facility Grant Award: $8,00 Jon used his first AgOptions grant in 2016 to establish a high-density apple orchard and was able to harvest 541 bushels of apples by his third season. In … View >>
Dave Lesuer, Hillside Farm Hydroponic Tomato Greenhouse Grant Award: $8,000 Farming has provided 90% of income for Dave and his family since COVID began. He sells his diverse vegetable products to local restaurants, food pantries, and offers CSAs. After moving … View >>
Savannah Salley, Headwaters Market Garden Caterpillar Tunnels for Organic Vegetable Production Grant Award: $6,000 Organic Production Having farmed successfully on leased land since 2017, Headwaters Market Garden purchased farmland in Polk County in 2020. With the goal of expanding their … View >>
Jennifer Perkins, Looking Glass Creamery, LLC Farmyard Attraction Grant Award: $6,000 To complete their original concept for agritourism on the farm, Looking Glass Creamery is adding an interactive space for visitors to get up close with farm animals as part … View >>
Adolph, Matthew and Lucas Atkins, Atkins Orchard Heirloom Cider Apple Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 To fill a niche in the local apple cider market, the Atkins have added a high density heirloom cider apple orchard. Currently, the demand for cider … View >>
Jon D. Klimstra, TK Family Farm Apple Packing/Sorting Line Grant Award: $6,000 Building on a 2016 AgOptions grant to establish a unique 1.3-acre high density apple orchard, Jon has added a packing/sorting line to accommodate the 800-1000 bushels of apples … View >>
Karen and Bob Binns, Parker-Binns Vineyard Increasing Wine Production and Diversification Grant Award: $6,000 To accommodate an expansion of their winery and to diversify into producing cider, Parker-Binns Vineyard has added a new production building to their existing successful winery. … View >>
Aaron and Nicole Bradley, Bradley Farms Pastured Pig Feeding System Grant Award: $6,000 Aaron and Nicole purchased a Feed Train mobile grain bin with a gasoline powered hydraulic auger to feed their 70 pastured pigs. Mechanizing the feeding of their … View >>
Jon D. Klimstra, TK Family Farm High-Density Trellised Apple Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 Jon has diversified his 15-acre farm with a high density trellised apple orchard. This orchard style allows for higher yields in a shorter amount of time than … View >>
Steve Modlin, Old Mule Farm Frozen Lamb Storage and Distribution Space Grant Award: $3,000 Steve has built a dedicated space to handle and store frozen lamb cuts. This space allows for the safe, sanitary and organized handling of lamb products. … View >>
Steve has added a sheep handling facility to his existing corral system to improve the care of animals and ultimately increase production. The handling system includes a semi-circular crowding area, chute panels, a turntable to restrain individual animals, a … View >>
Chauncey Barber, Ruff B Farm Barber Boys’ Beef Grant Award: $3,000 Responding to an untapped market for freezer beef in Polk County, Chauncey is developing a portion of his existing hay and cattle farm to better accommodate steers and heifers. … View >>
Randy and Megan Smith, Smith’s Sweet Grass Farm Improved Forage-based Genetics for Grass-fed Beef Grant Award: $6,000 The Smiths are transitioning their cattle to have foraged-based genetics, which should greatly reduce the high input costs associated with feed. Their goal … View >>
Randy and Megan Smith, Smith’s Sweet Grass Farm Grass-Fed Beef, Cattle Handling Equipment Grant Award: $6,000 Randy and Megan are transitioning from conventional cattle grazing to Managed Intensive Grazing (MIG). The goal of MIG is to constantly rotate the cattle … View >>
Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center Primary Contact: Lynn Sprague Grant Award: $19,000 — Polk Fresh Trade Post Project The “Friends of Agriculture” farm group is making a functional retail space, distribution center and cooperative space for strengthening their agricultural economic … View >>