Exclusively funded by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Grady “Bob” Johnson, Jr., Tucker Hollow Farms Bedding and Propagating Greenhouse Grant Award: $6,000 Bob Johnson has added a dedicated bedding and propagation greenhouse to his existing operation. The new greenhouse is allowing his farm to extend the growing season … View >>
Danny McConnell, McConnell Farms Custom Labeling Project Grant Award: $6,000 In addition to selling fresh fruits and vegetables, McConnell Farms, an established diversified family farm, offers a wide range of value-added products including ice creams, jams, preserves, fruit butters, acetified … View >>
Clement Swift, Clem’s Organic Gardens Top-Lift Carrot and Beet Harvester Grant Award: $6,000 Clem has purchased a unique piece of specialty harvesting equipment—a Scott Viner Top-Lift Carrot/Beet Harvester. This tractor-drawn implement undercuts a row of root crops, lifts them out … View >>
Susan Owen and Charles Coffey, The Lily Patch Farm Expanding Organic Production of Pawpaws Grant Award: $6,000 Susan expanded her current pawpaw production by planting additional trees, doubling the size of her orchard so that she is more than halfway … View >>
Aaron and Nicole Bradley, Bradley Farms Pastured Pig Feeding System Grant Award: $6,000 Aaron and Nicole purchased a Feed Train mobile grain bin with a gasoline powered hydraulic auger to feed their 70 pastured pigs. Mechanizing the feeding of their … View >>
Bill Weeks, Exotic Natives Nursery Expanding Markets and Increasing Manageability and Sales of Native Azaleas Grant Award: $6,000 Bill has made critical changes at his nursery to sell off his current inventory of field-grown azaleas, which are mostly native to … View >>
Jessica responded to customer demand for value-added products by creating three new product lines: cut-comb honey, spun honey and pollen. She purchased specialized equipment to harvest, process and market these products. Cut-comb honey is a piece of honey filled … View >>
Gregory has upgraded his corral/chute working facility, significantly improving cattle handling at the farm. He has purchased and installed commercial quality heavy duty chutes, panels and cages as well as improving the ground base with gravel so that cattle … View >>
Neal and Ava have constructed a dedicated space on their farm for storing and marketing freezer beef to individuals and eventually restaurants. Their aim is to display a professional and sanitary image, “one that shows customers we are committed to … View >>
Charlie Kissling, Walnut Hollow Ranch All Natural Beef Business Expansion Grant Award: $6,000 To meet heightened demand for all natural grass-fed beef in Clay County and surrounding communities, Charlie is increasing beef production by an additional 5,300 pounds of beef … View >>
Patrick Jeremy Breedlove, Breedlove Farms Myotonic Goats Grant Award: $6,000 Patrick is expanding and improving his unique goat farm, which is the only Myotonic Goat farm in North Carolina that actively participates in the USDA Scrapie “Free” Flock Certification Program. … View >>
The Frisbees are adding 400 vines of Petit Manseng to their vineyard, expanding it from 3.8 acres to 4.4 acres of six varieties. Growing more of their own fruit increases the ability to have influence over the quality and availability … View >>
Karen Taylor, Taylors Greenhouse Herbal Options Grant Award: $3,000 Karen is broadening her customers’ knowledge of herbs by selling culinary and medicinal herbal plants as well as hosting hands-on workshops where participants work closely with the herbs. Each month, … View >>
James Steve Dalton, Fruit of the Spirit Orchard and Vineyard Crop Diversification: Berry Juices and Jams Grant Award: $6,000 Steve is adding several more fruit crops to his blackberry farm: blueberries, raspberries, dwarf apple trees, and table, juice and wine … View >>
Elymus D. Payne, Payne Dairy Farm Replacement Heifer Barn Grant Award: $6,000 Elymus is expanding to respond to the high demand for replacement heifers that have been trained to stand in headlocks. He is building a 40-foot by 100-foot pole … View >>
Frank and Jeanette Wilson, Hominy Valley Farms – Land and Cattle Home Delivery or Farm Pick Up Grant Award: $6,000 Frank and Jeanette are expanding their on-line ordering and home delivery marketing system. The purchase of a walk-in freezer and … View >>