N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Awards More Than $6.6 Million in Grants.

The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) awarded more than $6.6 million through 26 grants for agricultural and economic initiatives across the state. These grants place a high priority on projects that stimulate the agricultural economy, train current and future farmers and help farmers execute innovative ideas.

 

 

The $6.6 million supports projects that assist farmers with operation improvements and diversification. Several of the projects improve agricultural programs and facilities at high school, community colleges and universities.

 

Image: WNCTimes

 

Some will enhance or build new facilities at local agricultural fairs and farmer’s markets, while others will provide operation equipment to reduce farm expenses and improve crops and livestock. A statewide initiative provides mental health services for farm families to address stress, and another project will enhance children’s knowledge of agriculture in their county.

 

In addition to these grants, the NCTTFC has renewed its partnership with WNC Communities’, “WNC AgOptions” program. This ongoing initiative provides small grants directly for on-farm projects that support increasing farm profitability. With this award, the NCTTFC has cost share grant opportunities in every North Carolina county.

 

The N.C. General Assembly created the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in 2000 to lessen the financial impact on farmers and tobacco-related businesses caused by the sharp decline of tobacco in the agricultural economy.

 

The Commission’s original funding was established through tobacco industry annual payments as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Its current funding comes from a set appropriation of funds. Since 2002, the NCTTFC has awarded more than 450 grants to public and nonprofit agencies that meet the goals of strengthening the rural and tobacco-dependent economies of North Carolina.

 

 

For more information visit the NCTTFC website at tobaccotrustfund.org

 

West Lincoln Educational Livestock Facility

West Lincoln High School

Grant Amount: $150,000.00

Area Served: Lincoln and surrounding counties

 

Shady Grove Educational Livestock Facility

University of Mount Olive

Grant Amount: $1,000,000.00

Area Served: Statewide

 

FRSAN-NC: Grief & Caregiving

East Carolina University

Grant Amount: $300,000.00

Area Served: Statewide

 

Project Pear Further Farming Integration

Duplin County Economic Development Commission

Grant Amount: $500,000.00

Area Served: Duplin

 

Increasing Capacity for Livestock Events

Cleveland County Fair Inc

Grant Amount: $51,836.00

Area Served: Cleveland

 

Agricultural Education Teacher Leadership Cohort

The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Inc

Grant Amount: $72,100.00

Area Served: Statewide

 

Agriculture Education Program at APA

Arendall Parrott Academy Inc.

Grant Amount: $250,000.00

Area Served: Lenoir

 

Greenhouse & Greenspace Education Project

Watauga County

Grant Amount: $67,379.00

Area Served: Watauga

 

Improved Christmas Tree Seed Equipment

North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Grant Amount: $577,467.00

Area Served: Statewide

 

"Smarty Plants"-Hydroponics Smart Farm

James Sprunt Community College

Grant Amount: $86,635.00

Area Served: Duplin

 

Increasing Small Farm Market Opportunity

Toe River Aggregation Center Training Organization Regional Inc

Grant Amount: $250,000.00

Area Served: Western Counties

 

Sanford Agricultural Marketplace Pavilion Expansion

City of Sanford

Grant Amount: $398,019.00

Area Served: Lee

 

EnergyCAP-Ag Energy Grant Program

Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council

Grant Amount: $120,000.00

Area Served: Western Counties

 

Livestock Arena Renovation Project

Wayne County Livestock Development Association Incorporated

Grant Amount: $160,000.00

Area Served: Wayne

 

JoCo Grows Ag Literacy

Johnston County Cooperative Extension

Grant Amount: $40,000.00

Area Served: Johnston

 

Western North Carolina Agricultural Options

WNC Communities

Grant Amount: $1,074,500.00

Area Served: Western Counties

 

Waynesville Middle School Teaching Greenhouse

Haywood County Consolidated School System

Grant Amount: $150,000.00

Area Served: Haywood

 

Harnett County Farmers Market

County of Harnett

Grant Amount: $800,000.00

Area Served: Harnett

 

WNC RLC Education/Training Room Upgrades

WNC Communities

Grant Amount: $60,505.00

Area Served: Western Counties

 

Executive Farm Management 2026

The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Inc

Grant Amount: $119,697.00

Area Served: Statewide

 

Adding Value to Feeder Cattle

Johnston County Cooperative Extension

Grant Amount: $31,106.96

Area Served: Johnston

 

Planning Your Farm Future

The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Inc

Grant Amount: $37,354.00

Area Served: Statewide

 

No-Till Seed Drill for Landowners

Pitt County Soil and Water Conservation District

Grant Amount: $50,000.00

Area Served: Pitt

 

Dewberry Barn Farmer's Market

Town of Cameron

Grant Amount: $25,000.00

Area Served: Moore

 

ACC Growing Greater Agricultural Skills

Alamance Community College

Grant Amount: $160,678.00

Area Served: Alamance

 

MWUYF VSA Vacation Vittles 2024

Men And Women United For Youth And Families

Grant Amount: $150,000.00

Area Served: Southeastern Counties