Agriculture
Supporting policies that increase food freedom and access to markets for our farmers and producers.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“Woke” Investing Hurts Small Farmers
In recent years, “wokeness” has invaded a place one would least expect it, the financial industry. There has been a rise in a type of investing known as ESG, which…
Farming Subsidies Disproportionately Hurt Small Farms
Farming subsidies have been a contentious issue in the agricultural industry for years. Although they were initially designed to support smaller farmers, they have ultimately ended up harming them. In…
Farm Subsidies Are Making Your Food More Expensive
With the upcoming 2023 federal Farm Bill currently in the works, it’s a good time to talk about some of the negative consequences of farm subsidies, which we will most…
Save Oyster Farming from NIMBYism
The Not-in-My-Backyard (NIMBY) mentality is going after oysters. Complaining about unsightly materials and bad smells, some property owners on the coastline want oyster farmers to do their business elsewhere or…
Policy Pizza: Agriculture Opportunities
Donald Bryson, president of the John Locke Foundation, explores some of the most significant points where agriculture policy has the most impact on the world around us. He believes the…