Organizations working to strengthen North Carolina’s agricultural sector and rural communities can now apply for funding through the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission’s 2026 grant cycle. Online applications are due March 6, 2026, and materials are available at www.tobaccotrustfund.org.
Commission chairman William H. “Bill” Teague said this year’s funding round continues the commission’s long‑standing mission to support projects that help farmers and rural economies adapt to changing conditions.
“These grants are an important investment in the future of North Carolina agriculture,” Teague said. “The 2026 grant cycle will continue to support innovative projects that help farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities adapt and grow.”
The commission was created in 2000 by the N.C. General Assembly to assist tobacco‑dependent communities, including farmers, workers, and related businesses. Its early funding came from annual payments tied to the Master Settlement Agreement, but today the program is supported through state budget appropriations. The commission reviews and awards grants each year, with 2026 funds expected to be distributed in the fall.
Past grants have supported a wide range of agricultural initiatives, including farmers market upgrades, cost‑share programs, commodity marketing, research into alternative crops, and agricultural education efforts.
Application guidelines, details on eligibility, and a list of previously funded projects can be found at www.tobaccotrustfund.org.
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