Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Michael Adams, Kestrel Herb Farm Batch Dryer Grant Award: $8,000 Michael is building a forced air “batch” dryer for herbs. Currently, he uses a shipping container with wire shelving powered by a heater and dehumidifier. The new building and herb … View >>
Chris Sawyer, Jake’s Farm Expansion and Diversification Grant Award: $8,000 Desiring to lower labor demands and increase profits, Chris has begun to transition away from vegetables and has started producing perennial crops such as figs, small fruits, and medicinal herbs. … View >>
Tommy and Danni Speight, Bluff Mountain Nursery Fencing for Katahdin Sheep Grant Award: $8,000 The Speights will convert old tobacco growing fields into grazing pastures in order to expand their Katahdin sheep herd from 27 to 70-80 head. They will … View >>
Kelsey Green, Our Friendly Allies The Processing Facility Project Grant Award: $8,000 Kelsey started Our Friendly Allies six years ago, and with the help of two previous AgOptions grants, has expanded to three greenhouses to grow certified organic herbs, medicinal … View >>
Charles King, SKYe2 Farm Electricity to Drying Container and Greenhouse Grant Award: $6,000 To help meet growing demand for its high revenue-producing dried hemp, garlic, herbs, mushrooms, hops and seed, and to increase production of cut flowers and vegetable crops, … View >>
Niki Irving, Flourish Flower Farm Walk-in Floral Cooler Grant Award: $6,000 Niki has installed a much-needed professional walk-in floral cooler. Refrigeration is one of the most important aspects of running a high quality floral business. With the new larger walk-in … View >>
Michael and Lauren Rayburn, Rayburn Farms Drying and Packing Facility Grant Award: $6,000 Rayburn Farm has converted an existing 12 x 30 square foot modular shed to a two-room facility that includes a drying room/kiln and packing and storage room … View >>
Heather Bryant and Kris Gupton, High Country Herbs Greenhouse and Transplanter Upgrades Grant Award: $6,000 Building on their successful 2019 AgOptions grant project, High Country Herbs upgraded their greenhouse and purchased a transplanter. With their past grant, Heather and Kris … View >>
Heather and Kris Gupton, High Country Herbs Farm Mechanization Grant Award: $6,000 To increase production and reduce labor costs, the Guptons have transitioned to mechanized farm production and adding a Caterpillar Tunnel to their 4-acre operation. They had previously done … View >>
Evan Chender, The Culinary Gardener BSC Tractor and Implements Upgrade Grant Award: $6,000 Evan has purchased a walk-behind tractor and implements to expand his operation from two-tenths of an acre to one acre, which should double his sales in one … View >>
Michael and Lauren Rayburn, Rayburn Farms Herb Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 Michael and Lauren have expanded their production of field basil to keep up with customer demand. To do so they made major improvements to their growing system to better … View >>
Susan is adding a 30-foot by 96-foot heated greenhouse specifically for growing vegetable and herb transplants in organic potting soils with organic fertilizer and pest control methods. The separate greenhouse prevents cross-contamination with conventionally raised nursery crops. Purchases include a … View >>
Karen Taylor, Taylors Greenhouse Herbal Options Grant Award: $3,000 Karen is broadening her customers’ knowledge of herbs by selling culinary and medicinal herbal plants as well as hosting hands-on workshops where participants work closely with the herbs. Each month, … View >>
Rayenelle Ritchie, Wilson Farms Greenhouses and Farm Store Expansion – Grant Award: $6,000 “The kids are helping out – they like working in the greenhouse. And it’s given us a wider customer base. When people come to the farm for … View >>
Marsha Crites, Harvest Moon Gardens Herbs and Perennials – Grant Award: $6,000 Marsha has been in the nursery business for nearly 20 years, and now operates a day retreat for local businesses and non-profits. For the WNC AgOptions project, she … View >>
Nancy Odell, Geowild Mountain Native Plants – Grant Award: $3,000 “Without the grant, this wouldn’t have been possible. The project would have gone on hold – without having the funds to buy the actual structure.” ~ Nancy Odell Nancy, who … View >>