value-added agriculture

Oct 9, 2013

Program awards funding to expand agricultural businesses

The North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share (NCVACS) program and the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) this week announced the recipients of 2013 equipment cost share awards. Coordinated by N.C. Cooperative Extension, NCVACS awarded $311,938 to 20 agricultural operations across the state. 

Aug 8, 2013

Making the methane conversion process value-added and eco-friendly

Gourishankar Karoshi, a master’s degree student in biological and agricultural engineering, is exploring a process that takes an abundant greenhouse gas and an abundant agricultural waste product and potentially yields value-added and eco-friendly results. 

Apr 3, 2012

Program awards funds to expand 13 agribusinesses

The North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share program this week announced the recipients of its 2012 equipment cost share awards. 

Feb 11, 2012

It's Muscadine Time!

A grape smoothie is just one of many products with powerful potential, thanks to a CALS partnership with muscadine growers. 

Feb 7, 2012

N.C. State helps agribusinesses gain $1.2 million in USDA grants

N.C. State University’s North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share (NCVACS) program provided more than $100,000 in matching funds to help N.C. agricultural producers apply for and secure nearly $1.2 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants. The USDA last week announced the recipients of its Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), eight of which are N.C. businesses that were assisted by NCVACS. 

Nov 21, 2011

Processing center produces new Piedmont businesses

Economic development was in the air, as Piedmont Food and Agriculture Processing Center was dedicated in October. After years of planning, the Orange County facility opened its doors, giving small food producers access to space and equipment they need to develop their small businesses. 

Jul 11, 2011

New use for N.C. sweet potatoes: Dried products for pet food, animal feed

North Carolina is the leading state when it comes to producing both sweet potatoes and tobacco, and a new N.C. State University research project is designed to build on both strengths to create new markets for farmers. The Sweet Potato Dehydration Project is exploring ways to use tobacco-curing barns to dry sweet potatoes for use in pet food and animal feed. 

Aug 17, 2010

Governor’s announcement expands N.C. Value-Added Cost Share Program

On Aug. 2, Gov. Beverly Perdue announced a package of programs, the Family Farm Innovation Fund, to help North Carolina farmers rebound from the recession.