Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund

TOBACCO COMMUNITIES INITIATIVES INFORMATION

Reinvestment Fund Projects

Program Impacts

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Grant Information and Guidelines
(PDF) (Microsoft Word)

Producer Grant Application
(PDF) (Microsoft Word)

Community Grant Application (PDF) (Microsoft Word)

Proposal evaluation worksheets:
The proposal evaluation worksheets are the forms that the RAFI selection committee uses to score proposals as part of the grant awards process. We include these forms here so that you can see exactly what criteria the selection committee will be using to evaluate your proposal.You do not need to complete these forms. They are for your information only.
Community Grant Evaluation
(PDF) (Microsoft Word)
Producer Grant Evaluation
(PDF) (Microsoft Word)

PUBLICATIONS

Issues to Consider Related to Tobacco Contracts (PDF, 2.2M) December 2006.

Agriculture Reinvestment Report (PDF, 2M) July 2006. This report outlines a strategy for sustaining income and jobs in rural communities through investment in existing farm businesses. The report documents the role that direct-investment in farmer innovation can play in assisting rural, farm enterprises to transition to more profitable, sustainable models.

Farmer's Guide to Agricultural Credit (PDF, 4.6 MB). September 2006. This guide was written to help farmers understand agricultural finance, and to help them be better prepared for the credit application process. It introduces some effective planning tools farmers can use to increase their opportunities in accessing capital. Also offered are appendices containing resources for further learning.

Summary Report: Tobacco Farmer Survey 2001 (PDF file)

1997-2000 Tobacco Communities Project

RAFI’s Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund was created in 1997 to address the barriers facing tobacco farmers and tobacco dependent communities. The program is designed to enable farmers and community groups to put their own ideas to work to replace lost tobacco income. RAFI offers technical and cost-share support to innovative producers and communities to help them take advantage of local resources and opportunities.

With the support of the Golden LEAF Foundation and the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the Reinvestment Fund continues to assist farmers to create viable, new farm enterprises that demonstrate innovative ways to replace lost tobacco income.

The Reinvestment Fund encourages agricultural entrepreneurship, which generates employment, finds new uses for tobacco equipment and facilities, enhances and protects farm and natural resources, and benefits other farmers and communities.

The projects supported by the Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund are diverse, reflecting the diversity of farmers, communities, and opportunities that exists in North Carolina. See descriptions of past and present projects.

Keys to Success of the Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund

Directed by a board of experts who bring practical expertise in farming, marketing, and rural communities to the table;
Helps applicants and grant recipients make use of existing technical assistance networks;
Stresses collaboration between farmers, community groups, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies;
Provides hands-on support for planning and carrying out of new enterprises;
Uses a farmer friendly process, no red tape;
Assists innovative growers and community groups to disseminate their ideas;
Provides capital to test out new ideas.

By enabling agricultural entrepreneurship, the Tobacco Communities Reinvestment Fund is imparting business and technical skills that help farmers best utilize scarce resources today and in the future. Over the long-term, assisting farmers to acquire the skills necessary to develop their farms into viable businesses will help lead to stronger, more stable rural economies and protect family farms.