Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Alvin Lytle, Cove Creek Nursery Expansion/Diversification to Grow Grain and Vegetables Grant Award: $6,000 Alvin is diversifying his farm, which is currently a tree, shrub and vine nursery, to include the production of chemical-free produce and grain, flour and meal. … View >>
Loretta Ball Craggy View Farm Grant Award: $6,000 — Farm Stand Loretta is building a farm stand on the Barnardsville Highway in Weaverville. At the retail store, she sells her greenhouse plants as well as locally grown and organic produce, … View >>
Harold and Nancy Long of the Cherokee Reservation are growing organic and heirloom tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and berries for local restaurants and tailgate markets. Harold has grown vegetables using traditional Cherokee methods since 1962. They prefer heirloom varieties so that … View >>
Mike has a great appreciation for his grandfather and father who have farmed all their lives, and he wants to follow in their footsteps. He also hopes the income from his business will provide savings for his children’s education. Mike … View >>
Livestock In an effort to conserve her family farm, Carolyn Bradley has used the WNC Ag Options grant to help her transition from conventional to grass-finished beef production in Madison County. Madison County Contact the Local Extension Agent
The Brittain Family farm has been farmed for four generations. With the WNC Ag Options Grant, the Brittain’s will raise pastured heritage breed turkeys, and they will start prepping their land for organic blueberry production. The Brittain’s hope that this … View >>
Scott Paquin is an organic farmer in Yancey County; Scott was awarded the WNC Ag Options Grant to increase the diversity of his farming operation. With the grant, Scott will increase season extension and help widen his client base through … View >>
Stephen & Frances Juhlin are seeking to farm full-time in Cherokee County through extending the season of organic vegetable production. With the WNC Ag Options Grant, the Juhlin’s built a hoop house to grow cool-season vegetables in order to supplement … View >>
Cane Creek Valley Farm, Organics With the WNC Ag Options Grant, Julie Sizemore and her dad, Tony Nesbitt, diversified the family farm operation into organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Buncombe County Contact the Local Extension Agent
Bill and Dianne Hill, organic growers in Transylvania County, stand inside their newly erected and almost-complete high tunnel purchased with the WNC Ag Options Grant. With the grant, Holly Hill Farm will be able to extend the growing season of … View >>
Burson’s Corner Farm is owned and operated by Scott and Colleen Burson. The Burson’s farm serves the Atlanta and Asheville metropolitan areas with organic vegetable starts, flowers, herbs, nursery plants and handmade soaps and lotions. The diversified farm is … View >>
A. Owens has inherited his family’s apple orchard and has grown apples for the past 14 years. With the grant money Anthony will purchase organic chemicals, packing supplies and digital weather station to increase the production and quality of … View >>
D. Smart has grown up to 50 acres of tobacco in the past eight years. He is growing 2 acres of organic vegetables on his farm in 2004 and will use his 2,500 grant to cover start up expenses … View >>
Elbert Roberts has been growing approximately 72 acres of tobacco since 1980. He is transitioning to organic vegetable production with the support of his local Extension agent and with support from this grant. Expected income from new vegetable production … 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 >>