Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt Visits Eastern North Carolina Farm

DUPLIN COUNTY, N.C. — Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt visited AJS Farms in Warsaw on Monday to learn more about this year’s pumpkin crop and hear concerns from farmers about rising production costs.

The visit came during one of the busiest times of the year for pumpkin growers, with Halloween approaching and fall crops providing an important source of seasonal income.

AJS Farms representatives said the cost of operating the farm has increased significantly, including higher expenses for equipment and other supplies.

Farm co-owner Krystle Searles said pumpkins are typically one of the farm’s more profitable crops, but higher production costs and tighter household budgets have created challenges this season.

“For many families, the fall tradition of choosing a pumpkin to carve is becoming increasingly out of reach,” Searles said.

She said some pumpkins have been left unharvested, resulting in lost income for the farm.

“Pumpkins are typically one of our most profitable crops, but rising farm input costs and tighter consumer budgets have created significant challenges this season,” Searles said.

Hunt, who said she grew up on a farm, said the visit provided an opportunity to hear directly from growers about the financial pressures they are facing.

She said farmers across North Carolina have reported higher costs for fuel, fertilizer and other necessities needed to operate their farms.

“I grew up on a farm, and I know how hard our farmers work and how much they mean to our communities,” Hunt said.

Searles said she appreciated the lieutenant governor visiting the farm and listening to concerns about conditions facing agricultural producers.