Source: NCSU COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES, 11/11/20

As the international sales director for the United States’ largest sweet potato farm, Jose Calderon is considered a top agricultural exporter. In 2009, State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler honored him as the Exporter of the Year. In 2017, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed him to the state’s Board of Agriculture through 2023, making him the first Latino to serve on the board. His U.S. career, though, had humble beginnings. Calderon, known by his nickname, Pepe, came 18 years ago from Costa Rica through the federal H-2A program. He went to work at Barnes Farming in Nash County.

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