Millions of dollars in funding is now available to North Carolina farmers and small business owners in the agriculture industry. The state department of agriculture, in partnership with the USDA, is offering a total of $6.2 million in grants for small agricultural businesses. These grants range from $10,000 up to $2 million and can be used for equipment and infrastructure to help expand food supply and reach.
The goal of this funding opportunity is to get more North Carolina food into various distribution channels, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and food hubs. Beth Farrell from the state department of agriculture emphasized that the aim is to support growers in increasing their production and distribution capabilities.
One example of a farm looking to benefit from these grants is 12:03AM Farm, owned by Darius and Shameeka McKoy in Sampson County. The couple has been operating their farm for nearly two years, cultivating fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They plan to use the grant to produce more food and eventually open a farmers market to provide fresh produce to their community.
Interested individuals have until June 15th to apply for the grant. More information on how to apply can be found on the state department of agriculture’s website. For the latest updates, news, weather, sports, and streaming video, visit CBS17.com.