Cumberland County is launching a new Agricultural Business Assistance Program with a public Go Live Session designed to introduce the program, explain eligibility and application requirements and provide real-time assistance to farmers and agricultural producers.

Funded through American Rescue Plan (ARP) Freed-Up Capacity, the Agricultural Business Assistance Program provides up to $50,000 in financial assistance to eligible, for-profit agricultural businesses that have experienced economic hardship due to weather-related disaster events, rising input costs or declining commodity prices.

Eligible applicants may request reimbursement for payroll expenses associated with employing low- to moderate-income individuals. Eligible payroll costs include wages, employee benefits and applicable payroll taxes. For the purposes of this program, low- to moderate-income positions are defined as full-time equivalent positions with annual compensation of $44,250 or less.

The introductory session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Agriculture Center located at 301 E. Mountain Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

This info session will include:

• An overview of the Agricultural Business Assistance Program
• Eligibility criteria and application requirements
• A demonstration of the online funding portal
• Step-by-step guidance on completing the application
• Clarification of required documentation
• A live question-and-answer session with program coordinators

Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop for the online training and begin their application during the session. Technology support staff will be available on-site to assist with navigating the funding portal.

Attendance is strongly encouraged. All applications must be submitted through the online funding portal.

For additional information prior to the session, contact Lisa Childers at 910-321-6880 or Lisa Jayne at 910-678-7732.