Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

2021 Recipient: SKYe2Farm

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 >>

2020 Recipient: Flourish Flower Farm

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 >>

2020 Recipient: Rayburn Farms

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 >>

2020 Recipient: High Country Herbs

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 >>

2019 Recipient: High Country Herbs

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 >>

2016 Recipient: Rayburn Farms

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 >>

2013 Recipient: Reems Creek Nursery

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 >>

2013 Recipient: Taylors Greenhouse

  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 >>

2009 Recipient: Wilson Farms

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 >>

2009 Recipient: Harvest Moon Gardens

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 >>

2009 Recipient: Nancy Odell, Geowild

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 >>