Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission

Applications are accepted during an annual competitive cycle. The 2026 cycle has closed; the 2027 cycle is expected to open in early January.

North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission — General

The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission's competitive grant cycle. Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP) and Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP) grants fund organizations — nonprofits, government agencies, cooperatives, and colleges — to deliver services and cost-share programs that benefit tobacco-affected North Carolina farmers.



Applicants are organizations: nonprofits, government agencies, cooperatives, and colleges/universities. Not open to individual producers directly; producers are served through the funded programs.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Grant cycle mechanics: https://tobaccotrustfund.org/2025-grant-cycle/

Grants to organizations under two lines: Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP) and Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP). Funded organizations run producer-facing services and cost-share programs for tobacco-affected farmers.

1. Review the Sample Application and gather the required two (2) reference letters. 
2. Apply at this portal. Paste your answers from the Sample Application into the online form and submit.

Sara Drake

NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program Lead

NC AgVentures is a Cooperative Extension program that provides grants to North Carolina independent family farms, and community organizations that work with family farms to develop new and innovative agricultural projects which will increase&#x2004;farm profits. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation.


NC AgVentures offers 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




NC AgVentures is a Cooperative Extension program that provides grants to North Carolina independent 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.

NC AgVentures offers 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


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.

Succession

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Certified Organic

Trade Relief

Legal & Finance

Labor

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

Applicants must contact their Cooperative Extension agents by Oct. 14 to set up an appointment to discuss their projects. Extension agents will remain a resource for farmers throughout the year as they complete their projects.

After discussing the project with an Extension agent, complete the application and submit either by email or regular mail:
 Email Requirements:
- All proposal documents, including attachments, must be in PDF format.
- All sections of application must be submitted; including SECTIONS VI, VII and Letters of Support (scans are acceptable). If awarded, you will need to provide originals before any money is dispersed.
- Proposal to be in a single PDF file if possible. If file is too big, the attachments can be sent as one document and the application as a separate document.
- Email application to agoptions@wnccommunities.org
- Please include the words 2023 WNC AgOptions Application in the subject line.

Mail or Hand-Delivery Requirements:
If sending a hard copy, a traceable/trackable mailing method is suggested. Mail or Hand Deliver to:
WNC AgOptions Project Coordinator
WNC Communities
594 Brevard Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806

WNC AgOptions Coordinator

IMPORTANT NOTICE: 2025 GRANT CYCLE CANCELLED

Tropical Storm Helene has caused widespread damage to our local communities and agricultural lands in Western North Carolina. Families have been displaced, farms have been devastated, and livelihoods are at risk. While the region recovers from the disaster, we regretfully have made the decision to cancel the upcoming grant cycle. This will allow our family farms to concentrate on recovery efforts and&#x2004;allow the resources in the region to focus on assisting farmers and their families.


Mission of WNC AgOptions: Building sustainable farming communities in our mountain region by providing resources directly to farmers who are diversifying or expanding their operations.

The ultimate goal of WNC AgOptions is to protect mountain farmland by assisting the longevity of farm enterprises and encouraging groups of farmers to solve logistical challenges in the local agricultural system.



IMPORTANT NOTICE: 2025 GRANT CYCLE CANCELLED
Tropical Storm Helene has caused widespread damage to our local communities and agricultural lands in Western North Carolina. Families have been displaced, farms have been devastated, and livelihoods are at risk. While the region recovers from the disaster, we regretfully have made the decision to cancel the upcoming grant cycle. This will allow our family farms to concentrate on recovery efforts and allow the resources in the region to focus on assisting farmers and their families.

Mission of WNC AgOptions: Building sustainable farming communities in our mountain region by providing resources directly to farmers who are diversifying or expanding their operations.
The ultimate goal of WNC AgOptions is to protect mountain farmland by assisting the longevity of farm enterprises and encouraging groups of farmers to solve logistical challenges in the local agricultural system.

Applicants are residents of North Carolina who demonstrate the economic viability of farms in Western North Carolina. Support is provided to individual farmers/farms that are diversifying or expanding their operations to increase farm income and encourage the sustainability of the farm businesses. The farm must be one in which the family holds the financial responsibility, takes the risks, and provides the majority of the management decisions for the farm business. WNC AgOptions awards grants to a variety of farm operations, including: fruits & vegetables, livestock, nurseries, agritourism, beekeeping and value-added processing. While agriculture is a varied and diverse industry that can be defined in many ways, WNC AgOptions favors applicants who operate a business and manage land for the purpose of producing crops for harvest and sale. Any funding requests should be for items directly related to the growing and harvesting of crops for sale, including livestock. WNC AgOptions also favors agritourism operations that are for the purpose of inviting the public on farm to increase sales of farm products.


A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

High Tunnel

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Farmers Market

Local Food

Weeds

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

HVAC

Irrigation

Lighting

Repairs

Storage

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Food Systems

Recreation

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Marketing

Infrastructure

Disaster Relief

Emergency

Suitable expenses are those associated with the production and marketing of diversified farm enterprises and agri-tourism endeavors. Examples include, but are not limited to: seeds, fertilizer, plants, amendments, livestock, trainings, advertisements, packaging, fences, signage, facilities, supplies, tools and specialized equipment. Items that cannot be funded by the award include: farmer labor, pre-existing farm debt, and expenses that are dated outside of the grant period.

Funds must be used as stated in the applicant’s proposal. Use of funds inconsistent with the proposal will result in forfeiture of award and repayment of funds.

WNC AgOptions will provide cash awards to projects with budgets that are at least 10% higher than the amount of the award request. An award request of $4,000 would require a project budget of at least $4,400 and a $8,000 award request would require a budget of at least $8,800.

The $6,000 awards are only available for farmers who write a business plan for their project.

List of North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission Funding Opportunities