Are grants for farmers available?
In 2026, grants of $10,000 will be awarded to qualifying farmers diversifying their operations in the following counties/units: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Clay, Cherokee, Cleveland, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.
What are the requirements if I am selected for a WNC AgOptions award?
Awardees follow through with timeline and project activities as stated in their submitted application. Cooperative Extension Agents and the WNC AgOptions Project Manager will visit each of the farms throughout the season to discuss progress on the project and assist with technical and marketing questions. Awardees are responsible for completing business plans for their projects. All recipients attend orientation workshops at the beginning of the season as well as submit income and expense forms, receipts for project expenses, and program surveys at the end of the funding cycle.
How do I locate previous WNC AgOptions recipients’ farms?
Email agoptions@wncommunities.org or call (828) 252-4783.
Who do I contact to market my product?
Please refer to our list of resources in the region and across the state.
Who can assist me with an business plan?
Please refer to the list of resources in the region and across the state.
Who can help me with agritourism?
Contact Erica Calderon – NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agritourism Director, at (919) 707-3120 or Erica.Calderon@ncagr.gov Please also see: www.ncagr.com/.
For more information, please contact your local Extension Agent.