Pressure is now mounting as harvest season is not far off, with farmers expecting a significant harvest, while facing the loss of their largest market (China).
According to industry experts, harmful ESG regulations are making it harder for NC’s farmers to operate in a difficult industry, where they already face the ever-changing dynamics of weather, infestations, economics, and more.
Despite controversial raw milk and pesticide labeling clauses, the NC Senate passed the NC Farm Act.
Soybean farmers are set to be impacted as John Deere, one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of heavy farm equipment, recently announced a major production shift to counter $500 million in tariff-related costs.
Recently negotiated trade deals bring a 90-day respite to the trade war, with time to negotiate for a long-term deal.
North Carolina farmers are among the nation’s most-frequent users of H-2A visas, accounting for about 7% of our total agricultural workforce.
The bill prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against farmers who use fossil fuels or fossil fuel-based fertilizers.
In latest trade-war move, China slashes pork and soybean exports, directly impacting NC farmers.
"I think that China will come to the negotiating table sooner rather than later, but the temporary reaction will be very tough and difficult and probably be a little bit depressing to our tobacco farmers." NC Rep. Jimmy Dixon
. “Access to export markets is significant for NC sweet potato producers, with exports totaling over $129.3 million in 2024. European countries, Canada, and Mexico represent top buyers of North Carolina sweet potatoes,” said Steve Troxler, commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
A bill introduced in the NC Houe would protect farmers from financial discrimination based on ESG.
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