Sponsored by NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

Grant Submission is Closed

We will offer another round of grants Oct. 15th, 2021.

Grant Program Overview

NC AgVentures is a Cooperative Extension program that provides grants to North Carolina family farms, and community organizations that work with family farms to develop new and innovative agricultural projects which will increase farm profits. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation.

Two Grant Options:

1. Individual Grants for North Carolina family farms who are agriculturally dependent and who have viable ideas for innovative agricultural projects to increase farm profits.
2. Community grants are available for community groups and organizations with project ideas that will directly benefit 3 or more farms. Some examples: Cooperative Extension, farming associations, local schools, churches and civic groups with

Priority will be given to:

Applicants that are current/former tobacco growers, former quota holders, tobacco workers or close family descendants.

Farms that have not received previous funding from NC Tobacco Trust Commission, RAFI or NC AgVentures

Applicants that earn at least 50% of their gross personal income from their farm operation.

Proposals that present a new direction or innovative opportunity to diversify, expand or implement new entrepreneurial plans for their farm operations that are viable and will increase farm profits.

Criteria:

The project must increase farm income and/or maintain employment opportunities The proposal must be adequately researched

The budget must be realistic

The applicant must have the skills to complete the project or have identified technical assistance to help them implement a successful project

The project must become self-supporting and/or enhance your ability to keep farming The proposal must be reviewed and submitted by a N.C. Cooperative Extension agent All proposals must be typed for consideration

Who is Eligible?

Family farms and community organizations working with farmers in the following counties are eligible to apply:

Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Forsyth, Gaston, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Iredell, Johnson, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, Wilkes, Warren, and Yadkin.

***(N.C. Cooperative Extension Agents and their spouses/partners are not eligible.)

What to do if your county is not eligible for an NC AgVentures grant:

All 100 North Carolina counties are served by three different organization programs funded by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission? If your county is not listed under NC AgVentures please click on the following links to find the organization that serves your county.

• WNC AGOptions (West NC Communities)
• UMO AgPrime (University of Mount Olive)

For more information about the NC AgVentures Grant Program click on one of the options below.

1. Watch a video of an online workshop for applicants

2. Workshop Presentation Slides

3. Sample Application

4. Past Grant Awards

The NC AgVentures program is administered by the Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University. Technical assistance for the NC AgVentures grant program is provided by N.C. Cooperative Extension agents.