Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Rye and Cyndi Speciale, Cantrell Creek Trout Farm, LLC On-Site Hatchery Grant Award: $6,000 Rye and Cyndi have opened an on-site hatchery to produce fry and fingerlings for their operation and the growing bait market in WNC and surrounding states. … View >>
Paula and Dale Boles, JB Farms Aquaponics Greenhouses Grant Award: $6,000 Paula and Dale are continuing a project they started with a 2016 WNC AgOptions grant, converting their 500-foot former poultry house into an aquaponics greenhouse. After ending their 13-year … View >>
John H. McCoy, Smoky Mountain Trout Farm Solar Energy for Healthy Food Grant Award: $6,000 John is expanding his trout farm with the installation of 12 solar panels to power demand feeders and bug zappers on ten trout raceways. Demand … View >>
Paula and Dale Boles, JB Farms Aquaponics Greenhouses Grant Award: $6,000 After raising broiler chickens for 13 years, Paula and Dale are ending their contract with poultry companies and converting their chicken houses to aquaponics greenhouses, growing tilapia and a … View >>
Alan and Seth are establishing an aquaponics greenhouse system integrated with their existing greens production. They are transforming a 1,500 square foot greenhouse into a symbiotic leafy green and tilapia production area. Excrement from the fish provides nutrients for the … View >>
Sally Eason, Sunburst Trout Farms Water Quality Improvements for Increased Production of Rainbow Trout Grant Award: $6,000 Sunburst Trout Farms is improving the water quality of rainbow trout ponds with the purchase of an ozone generator, resulting in increased production … View >>
Michael Garland has raised tobacco for 18 years along with goats and small fruits. Mr. Garland’s goal is to convert his farm into a family-owned and operated campground. After the tobacco buy-out in 2004, the Garlands are transitioning their … View >>
Looking to expand apart from the individual and wholesale markets, agritoursim seemed the next logical step for the Denison’s trout farm. Having been asked repeatedly if they allow “fish-out” or for tours by both community members and the occasional … View >>
Harold Jenkins was in burley tobacco for years. In an effort to diversify his income and get out of tobacco, Harold applied for this grant and used those funds to put in a stock trout pond. Grant monies assisted … View >>