Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Alan and Susan Fox, The Mushroom Hut at Fox Farms Growing On-Farm Agritourism and Sales Grant Award: $6,000 Alan and Susan have expanded their agritourism venture with the addition of a multi-purpose covered shelter and bathroom facilities. The new building … View >>
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 >>
Jason is restoring a generations-old family tradition of sorghum molasses-making, further diversifying his vegetable operation and enhancing agritourism opportunities on the farm. In addition to growing the sorghum, he has built a building dedicated to the production of molasses … View >>
Charlie Kissling, Walnut Hollow Ranch All Natural Beef Business Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 To meet heightened demand for all natural grass-fed beef in Clay County and surrounding communities, Charlie is increasing beef production by an additional 5,300 pounds of beef … View >>
Stephen and Dawn have completed the construction of a gristmill with the purchase of milling and packaging equipment. They are enhancing the agritourism side of their business, attracting customers to participate in grinding corn, as well as selling the … View >>
Joseph is diversifying his nursery and landscaping business, which has been in operation since 1997, by adding heirloom vegetables grown with organic methods. The additional crops help keep the viability of the Bethel Valley farm, which has been in his … View >>
Nancy is upgrading the basement of her apple storage building to provide a cool space for the apples, increasing their longevity. She is also creating a permanent display area to enhance the experience for participants of large tours. The … View >>
Rickey and Judi Postell Fir Heaven’s Sake Tree Farm Grant Award: $3,000 — Gift Shop and Sleigh Ride Scenery Rickey and Judi are creating a unique family experience at their Christmas Tree Farm that will incorporate community participation. They are … View >>
Stephen Alan Thompson Nottely River Valley Vineyards Grant Award: $6,000 — Tasting Room and Pavilion Stephen is constructing a tasting room and pavilion for a 10-acre vineyard, planted in Vitis Vinifera and French American Hybrids. The pavilion is the focal … View >>
Sue Mickey Appleberry Cove Farm and School Grant Award: $6,000 — Pure Dairy Goat Pet Milk Sue is expanding the production, processing, packaging and marketing of goat milk for pet food under North Carolina milk for pet food use guidelines. … View >>
Nicole DelCogliano Green Toe Ground Grant Award: $6,000 – Fine Dining on the Farm Green Toe Ground will host five formal dinners a year at the farm, attracting approximately 40 people to each event from places as far away as … View >>
Van Burnette: Hop N’ Blueberry Farm Milkweed Production & Butterfly Farming Grant Award: $3,000 Van is establishing a commercial milkweed operation. The primary customers for milkweed are butterfly farmers who are unable to produce sufficient food supply for caterpillars. Van … View >>
Dwain Swing & Cynthia Sharpe: OakMoon Farm & Creamery Goat Husbandry & Cheese-making Workshops Expansion Grant Award: $9,000 Cynthia and Dwain are growing the scope of their cheese-making and goat husbandry workshop sessions. They are improving the supporting farm infrastructure … View >>
David Tucker New River Corn Maze & Dark Mountain Choose & Cut Grant Award: $6,000 David is converting five acres of hay land into a corn maze and one acre into a pick-your-own pumpkin and ornamental gourds patch. He is … View >>
Janet Shisler Peterson, Cloud 9 Farm Sustainable Sawmilling – $9,000 “This WNC AgOptions project gives me the support for making a business plan with follow through. The grant will enable me to maintain a healthy forest, focus on the sustainability … View >>
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 >>