Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Rebecca Daniels lives on her Avery County family farm, a third-generation fraser fir and sheep farm. She is working with her son, Logan Burleson, 16, to establish a greenhouse operation, primarily for rooted wine grape cuttings. They plan to sell … View >>
Robin Smith, owner of Bee Log Berries & Produce of Yancey County, is installing a greenhouse so that she can increase the production of vegetable plant transplants. The greenhouse is a vital piece of her small but growing operation. She … View >>
Maverick Farms is a 45 acre, second-generation family farm in Watauga County. With the WNC Ag Options Grant, a passive-solar greenhouse was constructed. The greenhouse will help the farm through the typical late-spring freezes and early fall frosts that occur … View >>
Crop Diversification The Chamber’s family farm has been situated on the same land in Cherokee County since the early 1800’s. Chris Chambers and his wife Amy relocated to the farm with the goal to keep the land in agricultural … View >>
Former tobacco grower JB Jones and his grandson, Barry Jones, are sustaining the family farm with help from the WNC Ag Options Grant. The Jones’ plan to propagate Fraser fir seedlings in a greenhouse setting — the only one of … View >>
Agri-Tourism Joel Mowrey was awarded the WNC Ag Options Grant to help him purchase and construct a 3,000 sq. ft. year-round greenhouse production space in Buncombe County. The Mowrey’s will use the greenhouse for the wholesale and retail production … View >>
Former tobacco grower in Haywood County, John Leatherwood has expanded tomato and pepper plant production. With the Ag Options grant, John constructed a wood-burning stove for radiant heat in his greenhouses that will significantly reduce fuel costs and help sustain … View >>
Former tobacco growers in Swain County, the Cochran Family used the WNC Ag Options Grant towards the construction of a larger greenhouse. The Cochran’s expanded their tomato crop to cover the acres where tobacco was formerly grown. Swain County … View >>
Retrofitting greenhouse to grow specialty tomatoes during off-season. Haywood County Contact the Local Extension Agent
Donald Woodby and Charles Conley were full time tobacco farmers who have started a boxwood nursery to transition from tobacco. Boxwood production is one of the many possible solutions to creating a living from the land. Through the support … View >>
Billy and Pam Zimmerman raised tobacco on their farm for 32 years. The idea of raising and selling berries on the tobacco fields started six years ago and has now become an exciting agri-tourism experience. With the support of … View >>
Charles and Donald are full time farmers who have grown tobacco for years. With the help of their local NC Cooperative Extension agents, Jean Harrison, Stanley Holloway, and Claude Deyton, they will be building a cold-frame greenhouse to root … View >>
Dickie Jarret has created a radiant heating system for the floor of his greenhouse in addition to installing lights to extend his nursery’s growing season. With the help from his local NC Cooperative Extension agent Jerry Moody, in Avery … View >>
Doyle and Janet have recently started a new business Happy Valley Farms where they specialize in hot-house tomatoes production. The income from the tomatoes sales when supply is normally low will help keep this family economically viable in the … View >>
Jena is preparing to expand into the retail market with her organic vegetable production to become more economically sustainable in the future. Expected income totals $16,300 in next 2 years. J. Roberts is developing a new relationship with her … View >>
After spending most of his life farming tobacco, John Jenkins is ready to “plow new fields.” With help from his county extension agent and this grant, John is looking to break into the organic and native plants market by … View >>