At the national level, we talk casually about billions and trillions of dollars.
And not too long ago, it was difficult to obtain small business loans for less than $250,000.00.
Which just goes to show, what a difference a few dollars can make in the lives of small business owners who want to better their lives.
Recently, fifty farmers in the western North Carolina mountains received funding to help them diversify their operations. A total of $225,000 was provided by the NC Tobacco Trust Commission and disbursed by Western North Carolina Agricultural Options in $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000 grants.
Since 2003, the Trust Fund Commission has supported WNC AgOptions, a N.C. Cooperative Extension program that provides resources to farmers diversifying or expanding their operations, particularly those transitioning from tobacco production.
Many of the farm recipients were seeking grants to add or expand related streams of income or stabliize year round employment. Grant recipients plan to transition farm land into U-Pick areas, expand existing herb and bee operations, or saw their own lumber to create outbuildings for agritourism activities.
You can read more about the creative business plans of these farms here.
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