Source: Cory Vaillancourt, SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/13/20

Editor's Note: Cory Vaillancourt of the Smoky Mountain News printed a corrected version (2/13/20) of his article, "Agriculture commissioner election about more than just farming," dated 2\5\20. The original version attributed a quote from Candidate Walter Smith that “ Commissioner Troxler is a total failure." This was not an accurate quote. That quote was corrected to read that  “Commissioner Troxler has failed the State in many areas.” 

From the mountains to Manteo, it’s easy to see that agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry, but while driving through or flying over this vast state it’s much harder to see the challenges that threaten it.  “We’ve got to make our family farms profitable again. We’re one of the top 10 states in the nation in lost family farms and we have been for over a decade,” said Walter Smith, one of three Democrats seeking the right to challenge incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. 

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