Farmkeepers Blog
The Farmkeepers is the official blog of NC Farm Families. It is here that words will flow, our voice will be heard, a stand will be made, and the farm families of North Carolina will be protected. In these posts, we'll set the record straight. You'll see the faces of the families who feed us. Here, you'll receive all the updates and news. It is here that we will fight for farmers and be the keepers of the farm in NC. We hope you'll join us. Follow along on social media and by joining our email list.
Support Family Farmers with Your Vote
Our right to farm can be impacted by elected officials at the local, state and national level. Here are some questions to consider:
Who has a track record of supporting North Carolina farmers?
Who will ensure that regulations aren’t overly burdensome on our farmers?
Who supports reigning in mandates like California’s Prop 12?
Who will promote free trade policies that support agricultural exports?
NC Commissioner of Agriculture
The Commissioner of Agriculture is one race that has a direct impact on North Carolina’ farm families.
Republican Steve Troxler, a family farmer from Browns Summit, has served as our Ag commissioner for nearly 20 years and has always been a strong advocate for family farmers. The economic impact of the agriculture industry has grown from $59 billion to $111.1 billion under his leadership.
Democrat Sarah Taber is a crop scientist and expert in food supply chains, safety, and infrastructure. She advocates for increasing the diversity of the crops we grow in North Carolina — from hemp to hazelnuts — to boost farm income. But she has called America’s love of family farms “unfortunate” and expressed concerning views (add links) about our state’s pork industry on several occasions. Taber has never held elected office.
Vote for agriculture in upcoming NC elections
As we look ahead at what issues will impact North Carolina’s farm families this year, the upcoming elections are front and center. There will be important elections taking place at the local, state, and national level, and we encourage everyone to understand the candidates’ views on agriculture.
Agriculture remains the largest industry in North Carolina, employing about 20 percent of the state’s workforce and providing an economic impact that exceeds $100 billion a year. That includes about 45,000 family farms.
Two of the biggest statewide races on our radar screen this year are the elections for Governor and Commissioner of Agriculture. With Gov. Roy Cooper’s eight years in office coming to an end, there is a crowded field of Republicans and Democrats vying for the state’s top job.
There are three candidates running for the Republican nomination, including Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, and trial lawyer Bill Graham. Graham’s law firm, you may recall, led the nuisance lawsuits against Smithfield Foods.
The Democratic field includes five candidates, led by Attorney General Josh Stein and former NC Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan. Lesser known candidates include Chrelle Booker, Gary Foxx, and Marcus Williams. Stein has been endorsed by Gov. Cooper, former Gov. Jim Hunt, and much of the Democratic Party establishment.
Incumbent Steve Troxler, a family farmer from Browns Summit, is running for reelection as Commissioner of Agriculture. He has served in that role since 2005 and has been a strong advocate for family farmers during his tenure. Troxler has received many honors and awards during his career, including the “Order of the Golden Pig” from the NC Pork Council for his longstanding service and valuable contributions to the pork industry.
Colby Hammonds, a family farmer who produces pasture-raised beef, pork, and free-range brown eggs in Wake County, is challenging Troxler for the Republican nomination. Dr. Sarah Taber, a farm operations specialist from Fayetteville, is the only candidate on the Democratic side. Neither Hammonds nor Taber have ever previously held elected office.
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Early voting begins on February 15.
The Importance of Voting for Agriculturalists
This is a true story: One day, two doctors were talking about politics. The younger doctor said, I’m not interested in politics. And the older doctor replied, The problem is politics is interested in you.
Hog farmers have learned the hard way that politics is interested in us. Political groups attack us, like the Waterkeepers and Policy Watch – and the same groups fight to stop important legislation that helps farmers, like the Farm Bills that have been passed by the General Assembly.
And, of course, those same political groups want to see candidates elected who agree with them on farming issues, and who will oppose legislation like bills to protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits.
Learn who voted Pro-Ag on recent legislation by looking at bills like HB 467 and SB 711.
Yes, politics is interested in hog farming. And that’s why, next Tuesday, on Election Day, your vote matters. Vote. And vote Pro-Ag.