NC farmers sound alarm: Industry future at risk amidst rising challenges

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The agricultural industry is a cash cow for North Carolina, contributing $96 billion to the state’s economy.  

But many crop and livestock farmers worry the future of the industry could be in jeopardy.  

AJ Stanaland is a farmer, rancher, and owner of Northwest Land & Cattle in Leland. Stanaland is on a mission to get other North Carolina farmers engaged in making the industry better.  

Two weeks ago, she and other farmers met with representative David Rouzer to discuss the federal farm bill, which is passed every five years.

Stanaland says one of the biggest challenges farmers face today is the lack of insurance.   

“We do it cause we love it, and it’s such a lifestyle, but at the same time, we’ve got to be able to lessen the risk for these farmers,” she said. “There are a lot of crops that are not insurable; and I think the general public, if nobody tells them, they don’t know.”  

Stanaland and other farmers like Brandon Batten of Johnston County, and Lindsay Gay of Green County also cite the rising cost to operate, labor, and foreign competition as reasons why some are leaving the industry all together.  

“Right now my biggest headache is labor,” Batten said. 

“America is on the path to becoming food dependent to China and other countries,” Gay noted. 

“Am I the last generation to do this? I don’t know,” Batten added. 

Stanaland also echoed what Representative Rouzer said on the house floor last week, that “food security is national security.”  

Though Stanaland points out the issue is not about partisan politics.  

“Let’s vote the people in who really will support the American Farmer,” she said. 

She said if voters don’t support the American farmer, the future of the country is uncertain. 

“In the next few years, we got to get on a role, or it’s not looking good for people to continue to farm; and if we can’t keep the farmer farmin’, we’re going to be in a world of trouble,” she said.