BACKGROUND INFO Formed by General Assembly as a result of MSA Other - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

BACKGROUND INFO  Formed by General Assembly as a result of MSA  Other agencies formed: Golden LEAF Foundation & Health & Wellness Trust Fund  TTFC is now appropriated agency  Currently about $2 million for grants/admin  Administrative cap at $350,000 annually

OUR MISSION…. assist tobacco farmers, former tobacco quota holders, persons engaged in tobacco-related businesses, individuals displaced from tobacco-related employment, and tobacco product component businesses in the State affected by the adverse effects of the Master Settlement Agreement.

STATUTORY PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION  Program that benefits the tobacco-related segment of the agricultural economy  Alleviate and avoid unemployment  Preserve and increase local tax base  Encourage the economic stability of participants in the state’s agricultural economy  Use natural resources optimally

Personnel  3 staff members  18 member board appointed equally by the Governor, Speaker and President Pro Tem for 3- year terms  Represents cross-section of current/former tobacco farmers and agri-business leaders

Our Board Members Bill Teague, Chairman, Dial Gray, Columbus Bill Holbrook, Haywood Buncombe Dan Ward, Vice-Chairman, Jeffery Lee, Johnston John McLawhorn, Greene Bladen Ernie Averett, Granville Tim Minton, Johnston Susan Barnes, Wilson Linwood Scott, Wilson Billy Carter, Moore Steve Smith, Rockingham Bill Collins, Wake Clay Strickland, Sampson David Davenport, Pitt Tommy Webster, Rockingham Layten Davis, Madison Kevin Wilson, Yancey

Our Grant Programs  Annual grant cycle, apply during first quarter of year  Awarded in September/October  Since inception, awarded 230 grants  Actual grant disbursements to-date: Just over $90 million  Currently over 40 active grants underway with timelines until 2017

Applying to the NCTTFC  New application cycle is underway with awards to be made in Fall, 2015.  The process includes extensive reviews and various board meetings before grantees are confirmed.

A Selection of Grant Projects

NCTTFC NC Agricultural Leadership Program  In 2008, a $5,000,000 Endowment established with the NC Agricultural Foundation, Inc.  Support the program with invested funds  Goal – train/educate at least 30 young ag- professionals every 2 years

A Selection of Current & Past Grant Partners Poplar Grove Farmer’s Market

 2008-12 Reducing Farm Energy Costs & More Energy Efficiency – 478 Energy Audits Performed – $3.4 million in federal energy grants awarded – $5.2 million in projected energy savings

Agri-Safe & Certified Safe Farm & Risk Mitigation Measures Targets 19 counties. Trains agents to conduct farm safety audits and recommend improvements to operations. Health screenings/workshops for farm families and workers. Thousands of farm families and workers impacted.

Cost-Share for Farmers WNC AgOptions 22 Western NC counties. Cost share grants of up to $6,000. Funded in 2014 for two years at $440,000. www.wncagoptions.org

Cost-Share for Farmers NC AgVentures New for 2014-15! Overseen by NCSU Cooperative Extension, targeting 10 counties. Cost share up to $15,000 for farmers and $20,000 for 2 community grants. Total grant award of $304,365. www.ncagventures.org Agricultural Reinvestment Fund Overseen by RAFI. 14 counties. Cost share of up to $8,000 for farmers. Total grant award of $220,000. www.rafiusa.org

Supporting Farmer’s Markets Rocky Mount Concord Henderson Lexington

Project Skill-UP  24 Community Colleges serving 40+ counties  Assists students affected by changes in tobacco economy  Average cost/student trained in 2013 was $275  Over 1,400 served/year

“Got to Be NC” Marketing Campaign -230 NC Sections featuring 40 food companies -NC promotions in over 1,000 stores -Media campaigns reaching 20 million people -23% sales increase in foodservice

Livestock Marketing Facilities WNC Marketing Center As of end of 2013, 46,000 livestock sold with value of over $300 million (opened 3/11) Duplin Regional Facility As of June, 2014, 2,900 cattle sold at a value of $2.2 million (opened 2013)

Supporting Ag Education  60 high schools received up to $5,000 each over the last three years  Over 2,000+ students impacted

tobaccotrustfund.org

E-MAIL: tobaccotrustfund@ncagr.gov TELEPHONE: 919-733-2160 William Upchurch, Executive Director Jeff Jennings, Program Officer Susan Hernandez, Admin. Officer www.tobaccotrustfund.org