Small agricultural businesses in North Carolina now have access to millions of dollars in funding. The state department of agriculture, in partnership with the USDA, is offering a total of $6.2 million in grants to support growers in increasing their production and distribution capabilities. 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.
Beth Farrell from the state department of agriculture emphasized that the goal is to get more North Carolina food into various distribution channels, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and food hubs. This funding opportunity aims to support small business owners in the agriculture industry by providing them with the resources they need to grow their businesses and succeed.
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 can find more information on how to apply for the grant on the state department of agriculture’s website. The deadline to apply for the grant is June 15th. For the latest updates, news, weather, sports, and streaming video, visit CBS17.com.