Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Mountain Woodlands LLC Quality Forage Production Grant Award: $10,000 As one of only two licensed dairies remaining in Buncombe County, Bart’s ability to produce consistent, high-quality forage directly affects the long-term sustainability of his business and contribution to the local … View >>
Valleytown Farm Square Bale Improvement Grant Award: $10,000 Valleytown Farm supplies square hay bales to a niche market made up of horse and small animal owners. Their business has grown over the past few years from 450 bales on six acres … View >>
Moore Natural Farm Expand to Commercial Hay Production and Improve Forage Quality Grant Award: $10,000 In October 2025, Moore Natural Farm sold their beef cattle herd to improve time management and reduce operating costs. After years of producing hay for on-farm … View >>
Shelton Laurel Farm Hay Storage/Multi-Purpose Structure Grant Award: $10,000 Michael and his family transitioned out of tobacco farming by building their herd of beef cattle. They currently raise 30-40 cow-calf pairs on 70 acres and sell unneeded hay from 28 acres. … View >>
Lisa and Dennis Braswell, Braswell Mountain Farms Hay Storage Facility Grant Award: $8,000 Braswell Mountain Farms has added a hay storage facility to their current beef cattle operation to decrease loss and the quality of hay that occurs with weathering. … View >>
Shannon Morgan, S.D. Morgan Farms Hay Accumulator and Hay Grapple Grant Award: $6,000 To meet the enormous challenge of putting up the more than 5,000 square hay bales Shannon produces each season, Shannon has purchased a hay accumulator and grapple. … View >>
Donald Smart, Smart Farm Hay Loader for Beef Cattle Operation Grant Award: $3,000 Farming in multiple counties, Don raises 40 head of cattle and produces all his own cattle feed at two farm sites. He bales and loads 1200 lb. … View >>
Shannon Morgan, S.D. Morgan Farms Less Sediment and More Seed Grant Award: $6,000 Shannon Morgan purchased a no-till seed drill for his hay and beef operation. The specialized no-till seed drill is an efficient way to improve the nutrients of … View >>
Blake Francis, Blake Francis Farm Round Bale Wrapper Grant Award: $6,000 Blake has purchased a 3 point hitch round bale wrapper to use on his 320-acre farm. Since the 320 acres of hay on the farm are not contiguous, Blake … View >>
Dennis Francis, Dennis Francis Farm Seed Drill for Hay and Pasture Grant Award: $6,000 Dennis has invested in a seed drill to renovate his hay fields and pasture without tilling. Much of his grass died off during the droughts of … View >>
Ernest and Kim Ramsey, Jewel Hill Farms Hay/Haylage Operation Grant Award: $6,000 Ernest and Kim have established a new source of farm revenue on their diverse farm and have decreased the cost of feeding hay to their farm animals. They … View >>
R. Roberson and his wife worked with their local NC Cooperative Extension agents to improve drainage on 6 acres of field to expand cattle production into winter. Richard and Doris plan to collaborate with their son Kevin by improving … View >>