Source: NCDA&CS

2018 N. C. Agritourism Marketing Cost-Share Application for Farms Welcoming the Public

Our goal is to promote North Carolina as the world's top agricultural destination using #VisitNCFarms. To help promote farms offering Agritourism activities, the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is providing a marketing cost share grant opportunity. Marketing initiatives funded are for individual farms or a group of Agritourism farms with the goal to enhance the number of visitors to your farm(s). 

Through the generous support of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, your farm gains the opportunity to increase demand for farm experiences, attract more farm visitors with the potential to increase on-farm sales and increase overall farm value.

Funding can be used for marketing materials and tools, which can include but are not limited to: e-newsletter subscriptions, graphic design, production and printing of custom brochures, value-added product labels, professional directional on- and off-farm signage, and website development or renewal. To maximize return on investment these tools should be used in conjunction with a clear marketing strategy which will result in more visitors to the farm and/or increased revenue.

This marketing cost share is available to your farm which welcomes visitors. Partner projects involving a group of farms in a community are welcomed. Funding is based on a ratio of 1:3, where an individual farm/group provides a 25% investment of the total award. For example an award of $1,000 will require a $250 farm investment paired with $750 in grant money. An award of $2,000 will require a $500 farm commitment paired with $1,500 in grant funding, and so on.

Distribution of funds to your farm/group is dependent upon the number of applications received and the strength of the marketing projects. Ideally, funds will be spread to as many farms as possible. Please review this application to fully understand the eligibility requirements before completing the form. Grant applications are DUE by MARCH 9, 2018.
Your success is our job. Thank you for all that you are doing on your farm!

Annie Baggett, Agritourism Marketing Specialist
Colton Hall, Agritourism Intern