Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

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: Holt Orchards

Tracy Cavagnaro and Todd Kirmss, Holt Orchards Bakery and Apple Cider Donut Maker Grant Award: $6,000 Tracy and Todd have built a bakery equipped with a new doughnut maker to create fresh apple-cider doughnuts from the 60 acres of apples … View >>

2021 Recipient: Brulé Farms LLC

Sébastien Brun, Brulé Farms LLC Tuber Melanosporum or Black Winter Perigord Truffle Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 Leveraging knowledge gleaned from multiple truffle-growing workshops in France, Western North Carolina and both online and in person with the National Truffle Growers Association, … View >>

2020 Recipient: Atkins Orchard

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 >>

2020 Recipient: Jeter Mountain Farm

Tyler Hunsader, Jeter Mountain Farm Juice (Cider) Operations Grant Award: $6,000 Jeter Mountain Farm has diversified their farm with the opening of a new 30 acre U-pick apple operation in 2020. From research done the past three years at multiple … View >>

2019 Recipient: Holt Orchards

Tracy Cavagnaro and Todd Kirmss, Holt Orchards Enclosure for Apple-Packing Line Grant Award: $6,000 In response to the recent rapid growth of their business, 60-acre Holt Orchards has added a packing line to their apple operation. A 2017 AgOptions grant … View >>

2019 Recipient: TK Family Farm

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 >>

2018 Recipient: Locally Good Farm

Stephanie Poetter, Locally Good Farm Vinegar Production Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 To increase production to meet demand of locally produced apple-cider vinegar, Locally Good Farm expanded their vinegar production facility and started a ¼ acre orchard. Until they received the … View >>

2017 Recipient: Holt Orchards

Tracy Cavagnaro and Todd Kirmss, Holt Orchards Retail Cooling Shed Grant Award: $6,000 Tracy and Todd, a brother/sister team, improved their apple orchard with the addition of a stand-alone cooling shed for bushels. The shed extends the availability of their … View >>

2017 Recipient: Henry’s Farm

Dwight Clifton Henry, Henry’s Farm Smoky Mountain Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 Dwight added an acre of apple and pear trees to his 37-acre farm, in which he raises cattle, hogs and vegetables. He expects to generate income after the fourth … View >>

2016 Recipient: TK Family Farm

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 >>

2016 Recipient: Altapass Orchard

Starli McDowell, Altapass Orchard Serving the Good Stuff Lunch Wagon Grant Award: $6,000 Altapass Orchard, a 280-acre historic farm on the Blue Ridge Parkway that provides apple sales, tours, trails and events to the public, has built a food service … View >>