I don t plan to change any of that. Commissioner Graham assembled a tremendous staff, and my job will be easier as most of this staff will remain in place. There are some areas where I plan to expand the role of the department. I want to add additional inspectors and increase the number of samples tested in the Raleigh laboratory to check for problems like salmonella and listeriosis. I will push hard to get funding restored for that project.
Hispanic workers are increasingly important to North Carolina agriculture.
I will push for greater Spanish speaking abilities within the department to help deal with migrant and permanent Hispanic workers. The role of the N.C. Commissioner does not stop at the state borders. I am already working on expansion of trade opportunities for N.C. agricultural products across the U.S. and around the world. I am also pushing for greater consideration for North Carolina farmers in the 2002 Farm Bill, and hope to eliminate the Freedom to Farm portions of the legislation that have crippled the income potential of farmers across our country. Low commodity prices are directing many farmers down the path to financial ruin.