The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) has announced more than $6.4 million in grant funding to support agricultural projects across the state. The grants, distributed among 26 initiatives, are intended to help strengthen North Carolina’s agricultural economy and provide support for rural communities.
Bill Teague, Chairman of the NCTTFC, said, “North Carolina’s agricultural community continues to face mounting challenges, from unpredictable weather to rising operational costs. These grants represent an investment in resilience and innovation, supporting the people and projects that will lead agriculture forward in our state.”
The 2025 grants will fund a variety of efforts. Projects include expanding agricultural education at schools and colleges, improving infrastructure at farmers markets, upgrading loaner equipment at extension offices, and implementing programs that promote health and safety for farm families.
The Commission is also continuing its partnership with the AgVentures program. This initiative offers small cost-share grants directly to farmers in 46 counties to help improve farm operations and increase profitability. The NCTTFC is also supporting other organizations so that farmers throughout all 100 counties have access to similar opportunities.
The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission was established by the General Assembly in 2000 to address economic issues resulting from the decline of the tobacco industry. Initially funded through a national settlement with tobacco companies, it now receives money through state appropriations. Since 2002, it has awarded over 475 grants aimed at strengthening rural economies dependent on tobacco.
A full list of recipients is available at www.tobaccotrustfund.org.
“
