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2021 Recipient: Willis Farms

Rodney Willis, Willis Farms Sorghum Syrup and Cornmeal Process Upgrades Grant Award: $6,000 Rodney and Lynn have constructed a metal-frame processing building for their sorghum syrup and cornmeal that meets current food safety standards. The processing facility is located adjacent … View >>

2021 Recipient: Butterfly Cove Botanicals

Renea Winchester, Butterfly Cove Botanicals Medicinal Herb Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 In the wake of the COVID crisis, many people became first-time gardeners and the demand for seeds skyrocketed. There was also an increased demand for medicinal herbs, particularly elderberry … View >>

2017 Recipient: Doubletree Farm

Catherine Guthrie Bennett, Doubletree Farm Sorghum Syrup Expansion Grant Award: $3,000 Cathy purchased equipment to streamline her sorghum syrup processing with the goal of increasing her production to 500 gallons per season. Cathy purchased a new wagon to store larger … View >>

2017 Recipient: Flying Cloud Farm

Isaiah and Annie Louise Perkinson, Flying Cloud Farm Mobile Sorghum Operation Grant Award: $6,000 Annie and Isaiah are building mobile sorghum processing trailers to turn sorghum cane grown on the farm into sweet sorghum syrup. The trailers allow them to … View >>

2016 Recipient: Against the Grain

Holland Whitesides and Andrew Bryant, Against the Grain Sorghum Molasses and Mushrooms Grant Award: $6,000 Holland and Andrew are creating a multi-use facility that houses a sorghum press, furnace and broiler. With this new building, they no longer need to … View >>

2016 Recipient: Blue Ribbon Farms

Warren, Diana and Clint Cabe, Blue Ribbon Farms Sorghum Syrup Production Grant Award: $3,000 Warren and Diana have added a sorghum syrup processing facility to make syrup with sorghum that they are growing. The shed doubles as a produce packing … View >>

2014 Recipient: North River Farms

  Jason is restoring a generations-old family tradition of sorghum molasses-making, further diversifying his vegetable operation and enhancing agritourism opportunities on the farm. In addition to growing the sorghum, he has built a building dedicated to the production of molasses … View >>

2010 Recipient: Kyle Kitchin

Kyle Kitchin Sugar Bear Maple Syrup Marketing Grant Award: $3,000 Kyle is purchasing a propane heated finishing cooker for his maple syrup operation. The cooker enhances the beauty and marketability of Grade A light amber maple syrup by allowing for … View >>

2008 Recipient: Doubletree Farm

For Cathy and Andy Bennett, owners of Doubletree Farm in Madison County, the grant is helping them keep Appalachian traditions alive. They are using the knowledge about molasses-making they’ve gained from their neighbors Peggy and Nathan Harmon, whose ancestors made … View >>

2008 Recipient: Joseph and Catt RedCloud

Joseph and Catt RedCloud of the Cherokee Reservation are expanding their herbal salves and syrups business with their grant. They offer educational workshops that highlight native Cherokee growing traditions.   EBCI Contact the Local Extension Agent