Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has announced $7.6 million in grants aimed at supporting value-added agricultural processors in North Carolina, with a focus on improving atmospheric controls for agricultural products. The funding is intended to help farmers and growers in counties that were affected by Hurricane Helene.
The grants are part of the North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI), which seeks to encourage the development of value-added agricultural manufacturing and food processing facilities within the state. According to Troxler, “This grant will help modernize local processing facilities, strengthen supply chains and improve opportunities for our farmers. This initiative is all about keeping value-added agriculture right here in North Carolina. By expanding manufacturing and food processing capacity, we are helping our famers and local communities who are still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.”
Ten projects received approval for funding, totaling $7.6 million. Of these, six projects related to apple production accounted for $6.7 million of the total amount awarded. The remaining four projects focus on pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, improvements in Christmas tree production, post-harvest enhancements, and increased cooling capacity.
The NCDA&CS administers the program using funds provided by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Grant recipients include Apple Ridge Farms (Henderson County) for packing line upgrades and added cooling capacity; Apple Wedge Packers & Cider (Henderson County) for four atmospheric coolers; Blue Ridge Pure (Henderson County) for expansion of cold storage and cider processing space; Encompass Farm (Rutherford County) for post-harvest space and cooling capacity; Flat Rock Cider Company (Henderson County) for an atmospheric cooler; Flavor 1st Growers & Packers (Henderson County) for cooler-related expenses; Flavor Full Farms (Henderson County) for three controlled-atmosphere rooms; Foster USA (Forsyth County) for cooler expansion and scrubber facilities; Smokey Hollar Tree Farm (Alleghany County) for a germination and cold storage facility; and WH Farms (Forsyth County) for extraction equipment.
More information about NCAMPI can be found at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/marketing/ncampi.
