December 2, 2024
Contact:  Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive (UMO) Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center has announced the 2025 AgPrime Cost-Share Grant Opportunity in partnership with the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (TTFC).  

The AgPrime program provides funding to North Carolina farmers and agribusiness owners with innovative ideas aimed at increasing farm profitability. Administered by the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center at UMO, the program serves 33 North Carolina counties stretching from Montgomery to Currituck.

Director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center Edward Olive said, “The program is designed to strengthen farms and communities that have been impacted by changes in the tobacco economy.  The creativity and innovation that exists, within the 33 North Carolina counties included in the AgPrime program, is inspiring and we are excited to be part of helping those farms and agribusinesses attain capital to reach the next level within their business plan.”

UMO AgPrime grants are available to farmers and agribusiness owners in Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Gates, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Onslow, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.  

Funding proposals of up to $10,000 will be considered for farmers/agribusinesses that are agriculturally dependent and have viable ideas for new and innovative agricultural projects. Priority is to persons who earn at least 50% of their personal income from their farm operation or agribusiness entity, and to current and former tobacco farmers or former quota holders

“The success of the AgPrime program lies in the innovative and replicable ideas that empower farmers to expand and diversify their operations as they navigate the ongoing transition of tobacco production,” said Edward Olive. “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission to deliver this vital program to our agricultural communities.”

The grant application cycle is open until December 16, 2024.  For more information visit www.umo.edu/ag, or go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/agprime2025.  Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to discuss their application. Contact the AgPrime program coordinators for assistance Stan Dixon at 252-526-1587 or Ed Emory at 910-290-1002. For funding opportunities in other counties visit https://agventures.ces.ncsu.edu/ or https://wncagoptions.org/.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University is sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists.  For more information, visit http://www.umo.edu.