Agriculture
Agritourism and the Future of Small Farms
In March I attended the annual Small Farms Week conference at NC A&T State University. While there I had the pleasure of hearing from and meeting all types of farmers.…
Articles by Kelly Lester
Agriculture
The Heavy Toll of Government Environmental Policies on American Farmers
A new report from the Buckeye Institute finds that environmental policies harm farm workers. In the push for environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality, governments around the world have implemented various…
Agriculture
North Carolina Hog Farming Needs Regulatory Healing, Not Hollywood Squealing
On Monday, a piece I wrote was published by Fox News. The piece covers hog farming, “environmental racism,” and a recent documentary being pushed by Hollywood actors. Highlights: “While opponents…
Agriculture
How a Billionaire Seeks to Empower Small Farmers
A recent profile in the Colorado Sun documented the journey of farming advocate Stefan Soloviev, who has purchased over 400,000 acres of farmland in and around Colorado. While some may…
Research Brief
Agriculture
Is Hog Farming a Form of “Environmental Racism?”
Opponents of hog farms use the term "environmental racism" to characterize the concentration of hog farming facilities and subsequent environmental hazards in specific North Carolina communities, but the charge oversimplifies…
Agriculture
Gobbling Up Expenses: The Price Tag of a Thanksgiving Feast in 2023
The price of a classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people in the U.S. is estimated at $61.17 this year, marking a 4.5% drop from last year’s record highs according to…
Research Brief
Agriculture
Hog Waste Management in North Carolina: A Freedom-Minded Perspective on Alternatives
Several alternative ways of hog waste management have been studied, but few have been implemented in North Carolina. Currently the state caps damages that property owners can collect in nuisance…
Research Brief
Agriculture
North Carolina Hog Farming: Its Importance, History, and Controversy
Hog farming is an integral part of the agricultural industry in North Carolina, contributing $10 billion in economic output a year. Hog farming in North Carolina dates back to the…
Agriculture
Shorter Season, Tighter Regulations Founder NC Flounder Fishing
Attention North Carolinians: If you want to treat yourself to some fresh, wild-caught flounder this season, you better start saving your pennies. With an extremely limited fishing season and stringent…
Agriculture
The Poultry Grower Fairness Act: Striking a Balance or Federal Overreach?
Introduction The agricultural industry heavily relies on poultry farming, and it plays a significant role in supporting the economy. However, poultry farmers often face challenges when dealing with large integrator…
Research Brief
Agriculture
Freeing Lumber: How to Help North Carolina’s Sawmills and Housing Needs, Too
Sawmills have been decreasing in North Carolina for over a decade due to regulatory burdens and foreign competition. Housing continues to be an issue in the state with input costs…
Research Brief
Agriculture
Why Can’t Meat and Poultry from State-Inspected Facilities Be Sold Across State Lines?
Despite having to meet the same inspection requirements, state-inspected meat processing facilities can sell only within the state, while federal facilities can sell across state lines. This restriction makes an…