Happy National Agriculture Week
March 21, 2026
| Friends, Happy National Agriculture Week! Today is actually the end of the week of celebrations, but I hope all of our North Carolina producers know how much we appreciate the work they do every day. When our community talks about food security being national security, we understand the responsibility that places on you and your families, and we are grateful that you’ve taken on that responsibility for all of us. We are your biggest fans and pledge to continue working hard for you at the NC Ag Partnership. Speaking of celebrations, I had the honor and pleasure of attending the Sampson County Friends of Agriculture Ag Rally on Tuesday night. We ate barbecue, fellowshipped, and learned from Bryan Humphreys, the CEO of the National Pork Producers Council. I knew I wanted to pull some of his insights for the Dispatch this week, but Mr. Ronnie Jackson sealed the deal for me when he ended the night by saying, “I learned tonight that the Strait of Hormuz actually has something to do with Sampson County!” We all had a good laugh, but he was spot on in his takeaways from the night. Bryan spoke to us at length about the geopolitical issues facing agriculture and really brought them home for the group. We learned that 15% of the world’s oil comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Of the amino acids and vitamins that animal producers rely on for critical feed options, the U.S. only produces four of them, and ~60-80% of the rest of these vital ingredients come from China. These imports tend to be more reliant on the Strait of Taiwan than Hormuz, but Bryan used this as another example of the impact of geopolitical issues on local agriculture. And while those numbers feel global, the impact is truly local. Every disruption in supply chains, every spike in input costs, and every policy decision made thousands of miles away eventually shows up in North Carolina in the price of feed, the viability of family farms, and the cost of food on our tables. More importantly, Bryan reemphasized the power of food to influence and win elections. When everything feels more expensive for consumers, food affordability and food availability take the spotlight (along with the price of gas, which is another story). As we’ve seen recently with the rise of the MAHA movement, more people paying attention to where their food comes from means that they will work hard to influence how food is produced, even if they’ve never raised an animal or planted a field in their lives. Thankfully, the agriculture community has worked together to support the mission of creating a healthier America while protecting the ability for farmers to operate and provide the healthy food they have been dedicated to producing for centuries. There is real power in farmers telling their own stories, and Bryan made the case that we’re in a bit of a golden age for agriculture advocacy if we’re willing to step into it. He laid out a few reasons why our industry carries exceptional weight in the political conversation: 1. Regional Strongholds: Agriculture may look different across the country, but it still drives local economies in more places than people realize. That means agriculture has a voice everywhere, but that influence doesn’t happen automatically. It requires us to consistently show up and remind elected officials, and especially those outside of traditional ag communities, why this industry matters to their constituents. 2. Food Affordability: Right now, global pressures are driving up the cost of production, and agriculture often gets blamed instead of understood. This is our opportunity to connect the dots by helping consumers and policymakers see what’s really behind food prices and the work being done every day to keep food safe, available, and as affordable as possible. 3. Political Engagement: Across North Carolina and beyond, farmers and industry leaders are stepping away from their operations to be present in legislative offices, at meetings, and in policy conversations. That kind of real-world perspective is a main reason our voice continues to resonate. 4. Trusted Resource: In a time when people are skeptical of just about everything, farmers are still among the most trusted voices out there. This trust gives our industry a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead conversations about food, health, and how it’s all produced. These pillars absolutely help keep our community politically influential, but they also remind us that we have a story worth telling, and people are finally listening. The funny truth is, Mr. Ronnie was exactly right on Tuesday night: the Strait of Hormuz really does have something to do with Sampson County. And moments like that are exactly why the NC Ag Partnership exists. We’re here to make sure those connections are understood, those stories are told, and farmers have a seat at the table when decisions are made. Thanks for being part of that work with us, and thanks to the Sampson County Friends of Agriculture for a great event. |
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| Tori Rumenik Executive Director, North Carolina Ag Partnership |