Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Susan Owen, The Lily Patch Farm Sorting, Storage, and Cooling Shed for Pawpaw Grant Award: $8,000 With a 2017 AgOptions grant, Susan started a Pawpaw orchard with 30 trees (expanded to 60 trees in 2019), which are now bearing fruit … View >>
Charles L. “Butch” Deal High Pressure Boom Sprayer for Vegetables and Fruit Grant Award: $8,000 A 10th generation farmer whose family has been producing vegetables/tobacco for over 70 years, Mr. Deal will be purchasing a more efficient and modern sprayer … View >>
Stacy Fields, Raspberry Fields Raspberry Fields Kitchen Grant Award: $8,000 Raspberry Fields’ original plan was to build a small structure on the farm to house the farm kitchen. During the planning phase, Stacy discovered her proposed location was in a … View >>
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 >>
KT, KT’s Orchard and Apiary KT’s Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar Grant Award: $6,000 One of the unfortunate aspects of producing commercial fruit for sale is amount of loss experienced from fruit that cannot be sold – size, shape, imperfections, etc. … View >>
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 >>
Danny McConnell, McConnell Farms Custom Labeling Project Grant Award: $6,000 In addition to selling fresh fruits and vegetables, McConnell Farms, an established diversified family farm, offers a wide range of value-added products including ice creams, jams, preserves, fruit butters, acetified … View >>
Keith Allison, Alt Hill and Verdant Pastures Small Fruit Diversification Grant Award: $6,000 Looking to diversify his farm and bring new sources of income, Keith has added a variety of berries to his farm. He planted 1,000 strawberry plants, 200 … View >>
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 >>
Susan Owen and Charles Coffey, The Lily Patch Farm Expanding Organic Production of Pawpaws Grant Award: $6,000 Susan expanded her current pawpaw production by planting additional trees, doubling the size of her orchard so that she is more than halfway … View >>
Charles Myers and Kathryn Curran, Keeper’s Cut Meadery Meadery and Winery Grant Award: $6,000 Charles and Kathryn have expanded their meadery and winery, for which they use honey and fruit from their farm as ingredients. They are offering sales for … View >>
Pamela C. Zimmerman, Zimmerman’s Berry Farm Wood Fired, Value Added Processing Grant Award: $6,000 Pamela has eliminated most of the electricity costs associated with making homemade preserves with the installation of a wood cook stove. She makes jam out of … View >>
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 >>
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 >>
Donald W. Carringer, Carringer Farms Bee Operation Grant Award: $6,000 Donald has tripled the size of his bee yard by adding 20 hives, so that he is well on his way to a goal of 40-hives in his bee yard. … View >>
Stacey and Alex are growing native plants and forest food crops using permaculture methods, revitalizing compacted soils on forest edges at Stacey’s family farm. Crops include Jerusalem artichokes, American hazelnuts, pawpaws, Rabbiteye blueberries, American groundnuts and King Stropharia mushrooms. … View >>