Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt visited AJS Farms in Warsaw to talk about this season’s pumpkin crop and recognize the hard work, dedication, and resilience of North Carolina’s farmers.
WNCT: Lt. Gov. Hunt visits Warsaw farm amid rising costs
“Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt visited AJS Farms in Warsaw as cost increases and droughts impacts farmers across the state.”
“Some of the issues discussed included high diesel prices, impacts of tariffs and a lack of companies that buy and sell to farmers across the state.”
“‘We need our farmers to make a living,’ Hunt said. ‘We need farming to continue to be a good way of life in North Carolina, and it’s not right now.’”
WCTI: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt visits Warsaw farm as rising costs impact pumpkin harvest
“Farm owners also reported that tighter consumer budgets have affected pumpkin sales, leaving portions of their crop unharvested.”
"’This Halloween, it's the prices that are scary,’ Hunt said. ‘I grew up on a farm, and I know how hard our farmers work and how much they mean to our communities. I've heard from farmers across North Carolina who are struggling with the rising costs of fuel, fertilizer, and just about everything they need to keep their farms running.’"
The Johnston County Report: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt Visits Eastern North Carolina Farm
“Farm co-owner Krystle Searles said pumpkins are typically one of the farm’s more profitable crops, but higher production costs and tighter household budgets have created challenges this season.”
“‘For many families, the fall tradition of choosing a pumpkin to carve is becoming increasingly out of reach,’ Searles said.”
“She said some pumpkins have been left unharvested, resulting in lost income for the farm.”
Earlier this month, Lt. Governor Hunt encouraged legislators to take action temporarily suspending the state’s gas tax. She also wrote to Senator Thom Tillis and Senator Ted Budd to urge them to work for solutions at the federal level to stabilize tariffs and trade policy, bring an end to the War in Iran and take additional steps to bring costs down.
Read the Letter below.