WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) met with area cotton growers in his Washington office this week. Kissell met with David Ruppenicker, CEO of Southern Cotton Growers, Inc., as well as Scotland County cotton grower Allen McLaurin of Laurel Hill. They were joined by cotton growers David Dunlow of Gaston, County Donny Lassiter of Conway, David Parrish of Nashville and Robbie Waters of Scotland Neck, N.C.
“With such a large agriculture community in the 8th District, it is always great to meet with farmers and growers to discuss their concerns,” Kissell said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and it is vital that we continue to do all we can do to protect family farms. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am committed to representing the interests of our farmers and ranchers. I was pleased to hear from Allen and his fellow cotton growers, and I’ll continue to work to make sure the needs of cotton growers are heard, and that our agriculture industry in North Carolina continues to prosper.”
The agriculture industry is a $70 billion sector of the state’s economy, and accounts for one-fifth of jobs in North Carolina. Kissell has served on the House Agriculture Committee since being sworn into office in January 2009.
“We are very fortunate as cotton farmers to have Congressman Kissell on the Agriculture Committee,” said McLaurin, a cotton grower in Laurel Hill. “We thank him for all of his support of the farm industry. Agriculture is the largest industry in North Carolina, and Congressman Kissell has always been very supportive.”
Kissell and the Cotton Growers discussed the need to pass a Farm Bill in 2012, as well as efforts by local cotton farmers to help promote Made in America with their cotton supplies, like Stanly County farmer Ronnie Burleson. Burleson grows cotton in Richfield that is then ginned in New London to be used by Cotton of the Carolinas as part of their “Dirt to Shirt” movement, an effort to grow, process and produce cotton shirts entirely within the state of North Carolina.
“Our farmers are the absolute best stewards of our land, and nothing is more Made in America than the hard work of growing goods that sprout directly from our soil to feed and clothe our nation,” added Kissell. “My colleagues and I on the Agriculture Committee have been working hard to create a Farm Bill that best represents the interests of our farming community. It is time for the House and the Senate to work together to ensure that we continue to support our farmers, here in North Carolina and across the country. I will do everything I can to make sure that we pass a Farm Bill that fairly meets the needs of our farmers here at home.”
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Photo Attached: Rep. Kissell welcomes cotton farmers David Dunlow of Gaston, Donny Lassiter of Conway, Allen McLaurin of Laurel Hill, David Parrish of Nashville, Southern Cotton Growers, Inc. CEO David Ruppenicker, and Robbie Waters of Scotland Neck.
