Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Kate and Fairman Jayne, Sandy Mush Herb Nursery Farm Visit Improvements Grant Award: $8,000 The Sandy Mush Herb Nursery is diversifying their production model to increase on-farm sales and agritourism experiences to complement their traditional mail-order market. The Jaynes plan … View >>
Alyson Wade, The Farm Connection Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Gardens, Video Marketing and Risk Mitigation Grant Award: $8,000 Working on a multi-pronged approach to grow their successful nursery, The Farm Connection used their grant in three ways. Because nursery sales are … View >>
Sarah Lasswell, Moss & Thistle Farm WNC-Grown Willow for Sustainable Caskets Grant Award: $8,000 After planting two rows of willow for erosion control as part of her 2019 AgOptions grant, Sarah began to research uses for willow rods and discovered … View >>
Sébastien Brun, Brulé Farms LLC Tuber Melanosporum or Black Winter Perigord Truffle Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 Leveraging knowledge gleaned from multiple truffle-growing workshops in France, Western North Carolina and both online and in person with the National Truffle Growers Association, … View >>
Adam and Bill Beuttell, Daintrey Trees Solar Greenhouse for Fraser Fir Seedlings/Transplants Grant Award: $6,000 To move away from being highly dependent on suppliers in the Pacific Northwest, the Beuttells installed a 16′ x 24′ solar powered greenhouse to grow … View >>
Jeff and Cecilia Brown, C and J Christmas Trees Multi-Purpose Building Grant Award: $6,000 Jeff and Cecelia have added a 60′ x 30′ building to accommodate customers of their Choose & Cut Christmas Tree operation. The building will give their … View >>
Ted Farmer, Haw Mountain Nursery Growing Fraser Firs in Outdoor Beds Grant Award: $3,000 Ted Farmer has been in the Christmas Tree business since 1957, but has recently transitioned out of retail sales and wholesaling trees into the production of … View >>
Joey and Kelley Miller, Miller’s Choose and Cut Farm Expansion Grant Award: $3,000 $6,000 Joey and Kelley have relocated the headquarters for their choose-and cut Christmas tree operation to a different part of their family farm to increase visibility and … View >>
Burl Jonathan Greene III, Green Family Tree Farm Farm Diversification Grant Award: $6,000 Burl has diversified his Christmas tree farm with berries and pumpkins to offer products and services year-round. He recently added 20 acres of land, which has 235 … View >>
Jon D. Klimstra, TK Family Farm High-Density Trellised Apple Orchard Grant Award: $6,000 Jon has diversified his 15-acre farm with a high density trellised apple orchard. This orchard style allows for higher yields in a shorter amount of time than … View >>
Rodney Buchanan, Buck’s Tree Farm Alternative Fraser Fir Transplant Production Method Grant Award: $6,000 Rodney is producing Fraser Fir transplants for his Christmas tree farm, growing them in containers instead of using the traditional lineout bed method to deter root … View >>
Jack W. Wiseman, Jr., D & J Trees Momi Fir Grafting and Native Ornamental Production Grant Award: $3,000 Jack is helping solve root rot issues that Christmas tree growers commonly deal with by grafting the root-rot tolerant Momi fir species … View >>
Rickey and Judi Postell Fir Heaven’s Sake Tree Farm Grant Award: $3,000 — Gift Shop and Sleigh Ride Scenery Rickey and Judi are creating a unique family experience at their Christmas Tree Farm that will incorporate community participation. They are … View >>
Joni Wavra Ty-Lyn Plantation Grant Award: $6,000 — Truffle Project The 2012 WNC AgOptions grant is assisting the Wavras in phase II of their truffle project, which started in 2011. In honor of her late husband John, Joni and her … View >>
Jackson County Christmas Tree Association Primary Contact: Charles Fowler Grant Award: $13,000 — Market Expansion for Christmas Tree Growers in the Southern Mountains The association is undertaking a joint marketing campaign to offset several economic challenges in the Christmas tree … View >>
Joni and John Wavra Ty-Lyn Plantation Grant Award: $6,000 — Truffle Project The Wavras are phasing one-half acre of their Christmas tree farm into Black Perigord Truffles (which yields $800/lb) and possibly the Burgundy Truffles ($400/lb). They are preparing the … View >>