December 1, 2022

In November 2022, Croatan Institute received a ~$50,000 state-supported grant to support farmers of color in Martin and Warren counties in North Carolina to support soil health and water conservation practices. The award is part of a package of roughly $685,000 in total grants to preserve natural resources and ensure clean air and drinking water in eastern Northern Carolina. The pool of funds is part of a 25-year agreement between NC and Smithfield Foods to provide $2 million per year for environmental projects across the state. Since starting in 2002, the EEG program awards up to $500,000 in grants for a three-year grant project to non-profits. To date, grants have helped close over 240 abandoned hog waste lagoons and the restoration or permanent conservation of over 31,000 acres in the state.

“Advancing environmental justice and strengthening local food systems are two important priorities of Croatan Institute’s Racial Equity, Economics, Finance, and Sustainability (REEFS) initiative,” said Sharlene Brown, director of the initiative at Croatan Institute. “We are grateful to be a recipient of the North Carolina Environmental Enhancement Grant and look forward to strengthening our partnerships with black and brown farmers and landowners.” 

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said, “Our farmers are vital to our economy. This grant will support minority farmers in eastern North Carolina and help preserve our natural resources for future generations.”

Read the full funding announcement here

Learn more about the REEFS Program here.