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Wake County Agricultural Extension Tour - Congressman Miller toured three farms in Wake County to discuss the changes in North Carolina farming since the tobacco buyout and to see how farmers have found ways to stay in farming and earn a living.  Congressman Miller visited Southernscapes in Raleigh, owned by Roy and Larry Roper. The Ropers have a full range of commercial landscape installation services and products.

 

Miller listens to David Pope, owner of a family farm in Wake County

 

The second stop was Pope Farm in Knightdale, owned by David and Renee Pope. The farm has been in the family for 80 years. It began as a tobacco farm but transitioned into growing strawberries, other produce and some cattle. The last farm, Painted Sunset Farms, in Raleigh is owned by James Dunn.  Mr. Dunn is one of the youngest farmers in the state, in a business that is quickly aging out. He teaches horsemanship and Western equestrian techniques from grooming and tack to hand/leg voice commands. He also has some summer produce he sells at a corner stand during harvest season. This farm is unique in many ways since it is a horse farm, he’s a minority and the property is in the city of Raleigh.

 

“Farmers are the core to our economy,” said Rep. Miller.  “It takes ingenuity and grit to be successful in the face of nature's uncertainty and market pressures. The farmers in Wake County are doing amazing things as some of them transition out of tobacco farming, keeping the family farms alive and prosperous. We need to support that kind of innovation.”
 
Congressman Miller supports instituting farm crop insurance, expanding and intensifying scientific research and price supports.
 
Veteran’s Briefing, Wake County – Congressman Miller, with Congressmen Price and Etheridge, welcomed approximately 230 veterans and professionals who work with veterans to an annual briefing in Wake County. The three congressional districts work together to host the event at the North Carolina Fair Grounds. Congressman Miller discussed some of the problems for veterans as they return from Afghanistan and Iraq. Also discussed was the 2008 VA budget passed by the House for $6.7 billion above what Congress passed in 2007. This bill was the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration, and was $3.8 billion above the President’s FY08 request.
 

National Guard Briefing, Raleigh - Congressman Miller met with Maj. General William Ingram, Jr. and Col. Tom Harris of the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) for a briefing on military issues including the military readiness of the National Guard in North Carolina. Congressman Miller discussed first response readiness ability of the Guard and equipment needed in the event of a hurricane hitting the North Carolina coast. Major General Ingram stated the Guard is ready with equipment needed either in North Carolina or within the surrounding states that share duties during emergencies. Major General Ingram cited an agreement with other states to pool the necessary manpower and/or equipment when there is a threat of a hurricane or other disasters. They also discussed the availability of manpower ready for duty for military zones and locally. Major General Ingram said the recruitment efforts had already surpassed their goal for the year. Congressman Miller renewed his commitment to NCNG and asked Major General Ingram to keep him informed about needs for the troops.

 

Congressman Miller meets with North Carolina National Guard leaders to discuss military readiness

 

African American Leadership Breakfast – Congressman Miller met with 15 leaders in the African American community from Wake, Person and Granville counties at the K&S Cafeteria in Raleigh. Congressman Miller gave the attendees a legislative update which included issues such as Predatory Lending, Healthcare, Iraq and Education. After his discussion he took questions from the attendees. Attendees were asked to complete a survey which ranked, in order of importance, these topics as well as Immigration and the Economy so that Congressman Miller can have a better understanding what is and is not important in the communities he represents.