Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Leslie Sigmon Emma Farms Grant Award: $6,000 — Indoor Oyster Mushroom Production Leslie is adding indoor oyster mushroom production to her farm to boost winter and early spring income. She is studying the most effective facilities, substrate and strains to … View >>
William Metes B.M.S. Enterprises Grant Award: $3,000 — Shiitake Mushroom Smokehouse William is building a smokehouse for growing log-inoculated mushrooms infused with an aromatic wood smoke such as hickory during the fruiting process. He is experimenting with different infusion durations … 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 >>
Joan and Carl Chesick Green Goddess Farm & Apiary Grant Award: $6,000 — Heckuva Honey House With the construction of a new structure for their apiary, the Chesicks are raising production by 500 percent and providing local beekeepers with adapted … View >>
Thomas E. Shepherd, Jr. Headwaters of Poverty Farm Grant Award: $6,000 — Specialty Poultry Thomas is raising and processing specialty poultry, focusing on poussins, three-week-old chickens. With the purchase of a brooder, grow-off pens and processing equipment, he is raising … View >>
Anthony Cole Jasperwood Farm Grant Award: $3,000 — Production of Colored Bell Peppers Anthony is diversifying his winter squash, livestock and Christmas tree farm with the production of full color bell peppers, which provides cash flow at a time period … View >>
Eddie and Jeff Frisbee Addison Farms Vineyard Grant Award: $9,000 — Vineyard and Winery Expansion The Frisbees are continuing the family’s fifth-generation tradition of farming by diversifying their cattle farm into a vineyard and winery. With the addition of 400 … View >>
Marshall Bailey On-Farm Store; Lumber Grant Award: $6,000 Marshall passed away during the grant cycle and was unable to complete the project. Marshall was establishing an On-Farm Store in Barnardsville featuring grass-fed beef, pork, produce and other farm products from … View >>
Van Burnette: Hop N’ Blueberry Farm Milkweed Production & Butterfly Farming Grant Award: $3,000 Van is establishing a commercial milkweed operation. The primary customers for milkweed are butterfly farmers who are unable to produce sufficient food supply for caterpillars. Van … View >>
Starr Cash: Venezia Dream Farm Fiber Product, Value-Added Processing Grant Award: $3,000 Starr is purchasing fiber processing equipment (micro-mill or cottage scale) to add value to fiber produced by her own herd of alpacas as well as that of the … View >>
Anthony Cole Production of Traditional, Specialty and Heirloom Pumpkins and Winter Squash Grant Award: $6,000 Anthony is expanding his pumpkin operation with the purchase of a no-till planter unit and air blast sprayer. He is planting into managed wheat residue … View >>
Tamara Crain: Crain Family Farm Crain Family Farm Poultry Advancement Grant Award: $3,000 Tamara is expanding the production of layers and broilers at her grandfather’s farm. All of her animals will be raised free-range with no antibiotics and no animal … View >>
Paul & Anna Littman: Anna & Paul’s Farm Shiitake Mushroom Expansion & Season Extension Grant Award: $6,000 The Littmans are increasing their mushroom production during summer months and extending their production season with the construction of a cold frame. They … View >>
Chuck Marsh and Debbie Lienhart: Useful Plants Nursery Propagation Facility Grant Award: $6,000 Useful Plants Nursery specializes in growing food and medicinal plants for local and regional markets, including fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and herbaceous perennials. With this … View >>
Michael Porterfield: Gladheart Farms Produce Processing-Packing Facility Grant Award: $6,000 Gladheart Farms is building a packing and processing facility for farm produce, which will include a canning area and walk-in cooler for product storage. This new facility will improve food … View >>
Frank & Jeanette Wilson Hominy Valley Farms – Land and Cattle The Loca-Motive: A New Meat Market Opportunity Grant Award: $9,000 The Wilsons are opening a market stand for local meat at the WNC Farmers Market at Asheville. They are … View >>