Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Billy Bryant, Bryant Farms Packing Shed Grant Award: $8,000 In order to increase efficiency and meet GAP certification requirements, Billy will be adding a packing facility to his current vegetable production operation. GAP certification will allow Bryant Farms to maintain … View >>
Nicole Coston, Bearwallow Valley Farms Wholesale and Process Improvement Plan Grant Award: $8,000 After four years of production, Nicole has identified needs for new multi-use equipment that will improve efficiency and production, as well as harvest and post-harvest handling processes. … View >>
Morgan Decker, Root Bottom Farm Gothic High Tunnel Grant Award: $8,000 Morgan has replaced three deteriorating wood and PVC hoop houses with a 24′ x 92′ metal-framed gothic-style high tunnel. He has equipped the tunnel with louver vents, end framing, … View >>
Paul Shoemaker, Holly Springs Farm Vegetable Season Extension Project Grant Award: $8,000 To alleviate the constraints of late spring and early fall frosts, Paul installed two high tunnels with end walls. The tunnels will extend the farm’s normal seasonal production … View >>
Tommy and Danni Speight, Bluff Mountain Nursery Fencing for Katahdin Sheep Grant Award: $8,000 The Speights will convert old tobacco growing fields into grazing pastures in order to expand their Katahdin sheep herd from 27 to 70-80 head. They will … View >>
Joan Walker, Fiddlesticks Farm Season Extension Infrastructure Improvements Grant Award: $8,000 Fiddlesticks Farm is a mama-owned small farm in Alexander, NC focused on producing high-quality flowers, salad greens and vegetables using sustainable, regenerative methods. Joan and her family started the … View >>
Danielle Hutchison, Beacon Village Farm, LLC Farm Store Grant Award: $8,000 Danielle farms 200 acres of organic vegetables and is the only certified organic wholesale produce operation in McDowell County. She sells primarily to wholesale brokers, retail operations and box … View >>
Cheryl Judge-Decker, Paint Horse Flower Farm Greenhouse to Expand Production Grant Award: $8,000 To create a more sustainable and expanded operation, Paint Horse Flower Farm has installed a 16′ x 32′ high-side greenhouse, including shutter fans and a gas heater, … View >>
Kelsey Green, Our Friendly Allies The Processing Facility Project Grant Award: $8,000 Kelsey started Our Friendly Allies six years ago, and with the help of two previous AgOptions grants, has expanded to three greenhouses to grow certified organic herbs, medicinal … View >>
Charles L. “Butch” Deal High Pressure Boom Sprayer for Vegetables and Fruit Grant Award: $8,000 A 10th generation farmer whose family has been producing vegetables/tobacco for over 70 years, Mr. Deal will be purchasing a more efficient and modern sprayer … View >>
Randall Gifford, Greenshine Farms Operation Ten X Grant Award: $8,000 Greenshine Farms has embarked on an ambitious endeavor for a tenfold increase in production on their farm. Having doubled their revenue every year since 2016, Greenshine Farm has the experience … View >>
Mike and Sara Hedge, Hedge Family Farm Wash-Pack Facility Farm Expansion Grant Award: $8,000 Sara and Mike have increased their growing space over the past year by 300% and the volume of produce harvested is creating a bottleneck in their … View >>
Dave Lesuer, Hillside Farm Hydroponic Tomato Greenhouse Grant Award: $8,000 Farming has provided 90% of income for Dave and his family since COVID began. He sells his diverse vegetable products to local restaurants, food pantries, and offers CSAs. After moving … View >>
Erica Fernbach and Karl Brandstaetter, Seven Oaks Farm Caterpillar Tunnels for Organic Production Grant Award: $8,000 Thanks to their existing caterpillar tunnels, Erica and Karl were able to provide peppers, tomatoes and lettuce during shoulder seasons when other farms’ production … View >>
Clement Swift, Clem’s Organic Gardens Cold Storage for Crop Diversification and Expansion Grant Award: $8,000 This year Clem has increased his farmed acreage by 60% and he is on track to double his revenue from last year. He also constructed … View >>
Gary and Abigail Steiner, Bee-utiful Farm and Garden Greenhouse Upgrade and Expansion Grant Award: $8,000 With the ultimate goal of moving to full-time farming, the Steiners have upgraded an existing 5-year-old greenhouse with more plant growing space in order to … View >>