CONCORD, NC – Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) met with local farmers Tommy and Vicky Porter in Cabarrus County last week to visit the family’s 900-acre broiler and sow operation in Concord and to discuss upcoming legislation that will impact farmers throughout the region. Kissell and the Porters were joined by officials from Carolina Farm Credit and AgFirst Farm Credit to discuss the 2012 Farm Bill, as well as Kissell’s work to promote lending within the agriculture community.
“For farmers here at home, it’s absolutely important that Congress passes a Farm Bill that works for them—helping to protect and provide our agriculture industry with a degree of certainty and a safety net for our family farmers,” said Kissell. “Our farmers deal with the uncertainty of weather and crop conditions year round, they do not need additional uncertainty from people in Washington. As I join my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee in continuing work on this year’s Farm Bill, I’ll work to ensure that the voices of our North Carolina farmers are heard every step of the way and their needs are met.”
Kissell and the group discussed the ongoing work of the Agriculture Committee, specifically concerning crop insurance and promoting farm credit. Tommy Porter thanked Kissell for his work on behalf of the local agriculture industry, and for coming to visit the farm and update them on the Farm Bill and other legislation important to farmers.
“It means a lot to myself and other farmers here in Cabarrus County for Congressman Kissell to come and speak with us,” said Porter. “Congressman Kissell is an honest man that has been fighting to protect family farms. He understands the needs of farmers, and he knows that without our work there is no country. It was great to have him here on the farm.”
Joining Kissell and the Porters were Michael Morton, President and CEO of Carolina Farm Credit, Vance Dalton, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Carolina Farm Credit, and Bobby McCollum, Director of AgFirst Farm Credit. Kissell, who has served on the House Agriculture Committee since being sworn into office in 2009, reiterated the importance of agriculture within the district and throughout North Carolina, accounting for one in five jobs throughout the state.
“The agriculture community here in the 8th District and throughout our state has remained an absolutely vital pillar of our economy,” added Kissell. “Family farms have served as such integral pieces of our community, and it is important that we continue to do all we can do to help them as they provide our area with safe and healthy food and the fabrics and textiles that clothe us.”
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Photo Attached: Cabarrus farmer Tommy Porter holds his granddaughter as he and Kissell speak with Michael Morton, President and CEO of Carolina Farm Credit, Vance Dalton, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Carolina Farm Credit, and Bobby McCollum, Director of AgFirst Farm Credit. Kissell spoke to farmers at Porter’s Farm in Concord on Thursday, discussing farming in Cabarrus County.
