On the Issues

Between 2010 and 2015 North Carolina has regularly ranked among the top ten states with the highest percentage of  citizens experiencing food shortages. North Carolina also ranks in the ten worst states in the percentage of children under the age of 18 who are lacking food on a regular basis. One out of every four of these children experience food insecurity. Far too many of …

Agriculture and Agribusiness was the leading industry in North Carolina generating about $76 billion in value added income and accounting for about 660,000 jobs. Between 2007 and 2012 North Carolina lost 62,500 acres and between 2009 and 2015 we lost 3600 farms, almost all of them family farms. Today we are still among the leading states in loss of family farms.The percentage of loss is …

The mission of NCDA&CS is to provide services that promote and improve agriculture and agribusiness, protect consumers and businesses, and preserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. NCDA&CS is a complex agency with 24 Divisions. It affects every person in North Carolina one way or another every day. Some of the Department’s responsibilities include promoting …

The NCDA&CS is responsible for ensuring that animal shelters, kennels, pet shops and public animal auctions are complying with the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act. I take this responsibility seriously. I will ensure that domesticated animals are treated humanely and that the animal welfare laws in North Carolina are enforced. Puppy mills are still a problem in North Carolina. These …

Agriculture is important to a rural community and a strong rural community is vital to the future of North Carolina. Rural communities need the same things urban areas need and that is jobs, education, health care services, utilities, and infrastructure. We need to continue to expand public internet to rural areas until every community has access to broadband internet.  Just …

I strongly support keeping the Agricultural Research Stations open. They are important to the economy of North Carolina. The research at these stations leads to higher productivity, reduced energy costs, increased farm income, and more employment opportunities. The Research Stations are strategically place throughout the state to take advantage of the diverse commodities, climate, soils, and topography in North Carolina. …

Now that the North Carolina Forest Service and the Division of Soil and Water have been moved to the NCDA&CS, the commissioner has the authority and the responsibility to protect our environment and our drinking water.  I have worked closely with both of these divisions in my job with the US Dept. of Agriculture. We worked together to encourage landowners …

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates food, drugs, cosmetics,medical devices, motor fuels and propane, and pesticide licenses. No one wants to eat or feed tainted food to their families. In 2014 the Center for Disease Control estimated that one out of  six Americans got sick and 3000 people died of food borne illnesses. We need to …

Marketing is just as important to agriculture and agribusiness as having a product to sell. Farmers can have a bountiful harvest but if they cannot sell their crops they cannot stay in business. Agribusiness can come up with innovative new products, but they must have a buyer. We cannot be content with just finding new crops and products. We must …