Millions of dollars in grants are now available for small agricultural businesses in North Carolina. The state department of agriculture and the USDA are offering a total of $6.2 million, with grants ranging from $10,000 up to $2 million. Beth Farrell from the state department of agriculture stated that the money can be used for equipment and infrastructure to help expand a grower’s food supply and reach different distribution channels, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and food hubs.
One example of a farm benefiting from these grants is 12:03AM Farm, owned by Darius and Shameeka McKoy in Sampson County. They have been running the farm for nearly two years, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The McKoys are applying for the grant to produce more food and eventually open a farmers market to provide fresh produce to their community. Darius mentioned that the grants would be very beneficial for them as they lack resources to get started.
The application deadline for the grant is June 15. For more information, interested individuals can visit the provided link. Stay updated on the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming videos by visiting CBS17.com.