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

 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

NCTTFC NC Agricultural Leadership Program

Poplar Grove Farmer’s Market

A Selection of Current & Past Grant Partners

 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

• perations. 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 Lexington Concord Henderson

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
• ver 1,000 stores
• Media campaigns

reaching 20 million people

• 23% sales increase in

foodservice

Livestock Marketing Facilities

Duplin Regional Facility

As of June, 2014, 2,900 cattle sold at a value of $2.2 million (opened 2013)

WNC Marketing Center

As of end of 2013, 46,000 livestock sold with value of over $300 million (opened 3/11)

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