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N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Awards More Than $6.6 Million in Grants.
Raliegh -- December 3, 2024: North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services: Press Release:
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.
"To say this has been a challenging year for agriculture is an understatement. Producers of livestock, field crops and specialty crops have all experienced hardships,” said Bill Teague, Chairman of the NCTTFC. “These grants offer opportunities to strengthen agriculture for the future.”
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