Tonight's “Farmers Appreciation Banquet” a Great Success

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler was the featured speaker at the 14th Annual “Farmers Appreciation Banquet” sponsored by the Windsor / Bertie Chamber Of Commerce held tonight at the Heritage House Restaurant in Windsor.

Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture
and Chamber Director Patrick Demofonte

The Farmers Appreciation Banquet is a way for the chamber membership to give thanks for the economic impact that the farming and agricultural industry makes on Bertie County. Larry Norris, President of the Chamber of Commerce, opened the Banquet with a welcome to the farmers present. The invocation was led by Windsor Mayor Bob Spivey after comments by Chamber Director Patrick Demofonte.

Speaker's table with Steve Wishall, Patrick Demofonte, Andy Lee, Steve Troxler and Bob Spivey

Steve Wishall introducing the keynote speaker, Steve Troxler

Speaker Steve Troxler is our new Commissioner of Agriculture and he spoke with enthusiasm about his life as a farmer and how that life had prepared him for his new role. Troxler is a graduate of N.C. State with a Bachelor of Science Degree in conservation, with a concentration in environmental studies. Mr. Troxler has served as a "century member" and Director of the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina. Steve Troxler has spent his entire life around agriculture, including creating a farm business from scratch and making it a success. He talked about his experiences with produce stands and selling to produce markets to add value to his farm products. Adding value is something he feels all farmers must focus on to succeed in the current environment.

Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture

Steve addressed the issues of tobacco farmers and the reality that tobacco is going to a free market. That is expected to reduce the number of tobacco farmers, under one analysis, by up to 2/3 of the current farmers. The cash infusion to allow adjustment to this new reality is critical for farmers to manage the trasition smoothly.

Steve covered a great number of other issues, addressing re-organization of the Agriculture department, the heavy responsiblity of the department for non agricultural consumer responsibilities, the aging of North Carolina's farmers, the lack of understanding of Agriculture by most of the legislature (including many rural representatives) and new product opportunities in such areas as renewable fuels.

The Banquet had a great turnout

During the question and answer session the first question asked was abouth Phase 2 money. The answer was that the courts will make the decision, but that Steve felt the judges would like to find a way to do it if they can do so lawfully.

Another question that elicited interest was the question of how Steve defined the difference between a family farm and a farm busines. After first explaining the reality that many corporate farms were still a family farm, he commented on the governments current definition of small, medium and large family farms. He said that their definition was so confused that on the farm he had owned, with the exact same acreage, he had at different times been a "small", "medium" AND "large" family farm. He understood how people on farms could feel the government did not understand them or their problems!

Larry Norris, Steve Wishall, Patrick Demofonte present "thank you" to Steve Troxler

Andy Lee closed the meeting and thanked all the farmers for everything they do for Bertie County.