Source:  NCDA&CS, 12/18/14

N.C. AgVentures announced a new grant opportunity offered by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and funded through the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

N.C. AgVentures will award a minimum of 20 grants to agriculturally dependent farm families in Edgecombe, Forsyth, Martin, Nash, Pitt, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Wilson, and Yadkin counties.

These are competitive grants for producers with innovative project ideas to diversify, expand, or implement new entrepreneurial plans in their farm operations. The program will award an average of $5,000 to $10,000, but will allow applications up to $15,000 if they can show strong justification.

The application deadline is Dec. 17. A local orientation date has been planned for producers interested in learning more about the grant award and application process.

For additional information, or to obtain an application, contact a local Cooperative Extension office. Applications also can be downloaded here.