Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Dennis Francis Farm Walk-in Freezer to Increase Sales of Home-Grown Beef from Farm to Table Grant Award: $10,000 Dennis has been raising beef cattle on his farm for 40 years. Since beef cattle are subject to commodity pricing and fluctuation, Dennis … View >>
Ricky Stiles, Appalachian Foothills Farm, LLC Commodity Barn Grant Award: $6,000 Ricky has built a four-bay commodity barn to store and blend feed for his calves. Blending his own feed will bring significant cost savings to his operation, cutting costs … View >>
Sara Martin and Dustin Cornelison, Two Trees Farm / Sustainabillies Outdoor Kitchen and Classroom Space Grant Award: $6,000 Sara and Dustin have built a covered multi-purpose outdoor space that functions as a kitchen, classroom, cold storage, washing and packing area … View >>
Sarah Beth Hopton, Heartwood Farms Ltd Rabbitry Grant Award: $6,000 Heartwood Farms constructed an integrated, closed loop rabbitry and vermiculture barn and system. After two years of market testing a variety of livestock, they have determined that raising heritage meat … View >>
Patrick Jeremy Breedlove, Breedlove Family Farms Goat Handling Equipment Grant Award: $6,000 Patrick has purchased a 45-foot goat handling system that is capable of working at least 250 head of goat, since he plans to expand his 174 Myotonic goat … View >>
James Moore Edwards, Edwards Farm Grass-Fed Cattle Grant Award: $6,000 James is diversifying his vegetable operation with grass-fed cattle. He purchased seven calves to pasture on 16 acres. He feeds them on grass until autumn before slaughtering them for sale … View >>
Curtis Burnside, Sospiro Ranch Rabbit Processing Facility Grant Award: $6,000 Curtis and Susan have built a FDA-compliant processing facility to prepare meat rabbits to sell to Asheville area restaurants. The 18-foot by 12-foot building allows for on-site slaughter, dressing, packing, … View >>
Starli McDowell, Altapass Orchard Serving the Good Stuff Lunch Wagon Grant Award: $6,000 Altapass Orchard, a 280-acre historic farm on the Blue Ridge Parkway that provides apple sales, tours, trails and events to the public, has built a food service … View >>
Susan Epps Ward, Brothers on Farms Lamb Production Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 Susan is expanding her lamb meat venture, which she started with the help of a 2013 WNC AgOptions grant. She is renovating her pasture to better control barber … View >>
Carolyn and Joe Cordell, Cordell Farms Sheep and Goat Turn Table Corral System Grant Award: $3,000 Responding to the demand for lamb and goat meat in the region, Carolyn is expanding her sheep and goat venture, increasing efficiencies with the … View >>
Martin Morgan, Morgan Branch Red Angus Commodity By-Product Mixer Grant Award: $6,000 Martin is improving his Branch Red Angus operation with the purchase of a feed mixer to combine ingredients. His cattle currently have a choice of three different feeds, … View >>
Brent Ward, Wards Farm Cattle Handling System Grant Award: $3,000 Brent is improving the safety and efficiency of his cattle farm by adding a handling system, including a covered and fenced separation area. This dedicated space allows Brent to better … View >>
Shannonrae and Rickie Mathes, Sh-Nanny-Gans Targeted and Rotational Grazing for Goats Grant Award: $6,000 Shannonrae and Rickie are transitioning 58 acres of Fraser Firs into pasture for Boer meat goats, currently in 19 acres. The goats are rented to landowners … View >>
Michael Joe Holt, Jr., Holt Livestock Breeding and Feeding Facility for Show Pig Production Grant Award: $6,000 Michael is expanding his pork and show pig operation by constructing a facility to house sows year-round. Both pork and show pig markets … View >>
Robin Reeves Singleton, Reeves Home Place Farm WhiskeyPigs Branded Meat Grant Award: $6,000 Robin is developing a brand called “WhiskyPigs,” antibiotic and hormone-free meat from free-range animals that are fed whiskey mash from Troy & Sons at the Asheville Distilling … View >>
Steve Modlin, Old Mule Farm Frozen Lamb Storage and Distribution Space Grant Award: $3,000 Steve has built a dedicated space to handle and store frozen lamb cuts. This space allows for the safe, sanitary and organized handling of lamb products. … View >>