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State ag commissioner visits
North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler, standing, sixth from left, was in Jackson County Tuesday to express support for preserving the state’s farmland. According to Troxler, the loss of agricultural acreage is a concern statewide and its important for local governments to take steps to help farmers hold on to their land. Troxler also addressed what he termed a common misconception, saying that a lot of people think farm subsidies make farmers rich when in reality what they do is keep food prices down. Listening to Troxler at Jackson County Commissioner William Shelton’s farm, are, from left, (standing) Commissioner Tom Massie, Planning Director Linda Cable, county Manager Ken Westmoreland, farmer Joe Ward, Shelton, Clint Carson, (sitting) Region A Director Bill Gibson and Boyce Deitz, Western field staffer for Congressman Heath Shuler. Deitz thanked Troxler for his office’s efforts in providing drought relief to Western North Carolina farmers. – Herald photo by Nick Breedlove |
