Local
OP-ED: Investment in Small and Future Farmers Essential to Healthy Food and Healthy Rural Communities
We must continue to press forward in our rural communities to ensure equitable care and access to nutritious food.
As the first African-American woman elected to Congress from North Carolina, I served for 10 years in positions on the House Agriculture Committee and as the ranking member of the Operations Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittees. Combined with my subsequent tenure as the Assistant Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, I understand the critical need for investment in small and future farmers, and how connected their growth and ability to thrive is to healthy food, healthy people, and robust rural communities.
There is an old saying that “we are what we eat.” Health professionals recommend eating healthy food to prevent and control diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions. Additionally, when food is sold locally, it is fresher. Some health professionals have recently promoted food as medicine.
However, food insecurity is a fundamental problem in the United States, including North Carolina. Those of us living in rural America know that our health indicators, including food insecurity, are challenging and that our rural economy could be far improved. Food insecurity is both a health and economic condition. Access to healthy and nutritious food, a good environment, and healthy rural communities are tied to the survival and growth of small and future farmers. And investing in small and future farmers can benefit our rural economy.
While small farms contribute greatly to local food production and rural economies, they have historically received fewer resources, access to appropriate scaled information and technology, and investment from federal and state programs. This is disproportionately even greater among farmers of color.
Our nation is rapidly losing farmland and farmers, who are getting older (average age greater than 58 years old) and going out of business. North Carolina is currently tied for first in farm loss in the US. Farm families are middle-sized or small; the latter need help to make a profit or break even and must supplement the family income by working outside the farm. Black farmers have suffered the most significant number of lost farms due partly to proven discrimination.
Food insecurity is both a health and economic condition.
We should be attracting and investing in new farmers if we are to have a strong farming system going forward. To grow and sell healthier food locally, we must support and increase the number of small farms, especially minority and female farmers. We must redesign our food systems to be resilient and serve all people in our community, especially the most vulnerable. We can do this through establishing networks and infrastructure linking our public schools, childcare and senior care facilities, local farmers, extension services, hospitals and health professionals, community colleges, and food stores.
The Farm Bill allows for more fundamental changes, however there are improvements we can do now. We should take the following steps to expand existing programs and make them more effective:
- Increase federal and state government financial and technical support to small farmers to help them purchase land, buy equipment to grow healthy food, and sell locally. Fulfill legislative commitment to distress and minority farmers for debt relief under the Inflation Act of 2022.
- Expand the Farm to School programs to promote the value of nutritious, healthy and local food and create an interest in farming among our children. Provide incentives and assistance to school systems to develop these programs.
- Provide more money per meal for school lunches and include fresh vegetables and fruits and local food when possible. Consider modifying the Farm Bill to provide universal meals to all students as we provide books. Supplemental summer feeding programs need to be expanded that extend beyond the school year.
- Revisit, evaluate, and invest in the “Future Farmers of America”. Expand agricultural education programs, especially those focused on sustainability, with similar focus, coordination, imagination, and resources as the STEM program in schools.
- Provide needed support supply chain infrastructure, and farmer and business training needed to grow local food systems. While recent programs supporting local food procurement we must also focus on the infrastructure and training investments in food hubs, infrastructure and farmer support if these local food systems are to be resilient and sustainable.
I know we have the capacity to make these positive changes in our food system and there are many farmers, community leaders, university partners and rural communities working collectively to do this but they also need the policies and support to be invested.
We must continue to press forward in our rural communities to ensure equitable care and access to nutritious food. We launched the Rural Food Institute with a vision to share knowledge, resources and bring others to the table to ensure a healthier rural NC together.
One of the key takeaways from the recent Rural Food Forum held at Vance-Granville Community College sponsored by the Green Rural Redevelopment Organization and the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute was how critical small farmers are to the goals of making healthy food accessible to rural communities.
We must ensure our small farmers are receiving adequate resources, have access to information and technology, and begin to seek significant investments from federal and state programs. — EVA CLAYTON
Local
Warren County Hires First Tourism Manager
Cherie Nielsen began in the tourism manager position on the Warren County Community and Economic Development team on March 4, 2025.
The Warren County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) in partnership with Warren County Community and Economic Development have hired the Countyโs first tourism manager.
Cherie Nielsen began in the tourism manager position on the Warren County Community and Economic Development team on March 4, 2025. Nielsen has an extensive background in economic development, business promotion, and community engagement, and she brings a wealth of experience that will help enhance and expand tourism initiatives across the county.
โOn behalf of the Warren County TDA and its members, it is my pleasure to welcome Cherie Nielsen as our new Tourism Manager,โ stated Michael Hawkins, chair of the Warren County TDA board. โI am confident that her expertise and competencies can enable us to reach new heights with tourism in the county. I look forward to the changes or developments that she intends to bring about.โ
The tourism manager position is fully funded through the newly enacted occupancy tax, which went into effect on July 1, 2024. This funding allows for expanded tourism development efforts, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure improvements that will enhance visitor experiences and drive economic impact for the county. Occupancy taxes are levied on short-term lodging and related rentals and are paid by the visitor, not the property owner.
โTourism has been a function of Warren County economic development for decades, but we have never had dedicated staff and dedicated funding to apply towards tourism initiatives,โ stated Charla Duncan, Director of the Countyโs Community and Economic Development department. โFor the past decade, weโve seen year-over-year growth in travel-related expenditures in Warren County. With dedicated tourism resources, we look forward to bringing in more revenue to the county and to local businesses.โ
Nielsen has a strong history of driving economic growth through strategic planning, marketing, and business development. Most recently, she served as the Project Associate Director for the Industrial Development Authority of Brunswick County, VA, where she played a pivotal role in securing funding, managing large-scale projects, and fostering partnerships to revitalize the local economy. Her leadership contributed to business retention and expansion efforts, community development, and the promotion of regional assets to attract investment.
Prior to that, Nielsen spent five years with the North Carolina Department of Commerce as the Welcome Center Manager in Warren County, where she led efforts to promote tourism across all 100 counties in North Carolina, connecting travelers with local attractions, businesses, and cultural experiences. She also has experience in outdoor recreation and trail development, having served as the Trail Coordinator for the nonprofit Tobacco Heritage Trail before joining the Department of Commerce. These roles deepened her understanding of regional tourism, economic development, and the importance of strategic partnerships in enhancing visitor engagement.
With a passion for rural economic development, Nielsen has also worked extensively in grant writing, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy.
Nielsen states, โTourism is a key economic driver, and I am committed to leveraging Warren Countyโs rich history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities to attract visitors and support local businesses.โ
As Tourism Manager, Nielsen will focus on increasing Warren Countyโs visibility as a travel destination while ensuring that tourism growth benefits the entire community, including rural residents and businesses. She aims to strengthen connections between tourism and the greater community, recognizing the role of agritourism, local artisans, and small businesses in driving sustainable economic growth. Through strategic partnerships and innovative marketing, she will promote Warren Countyโs unique assets while creating opportunities for residents to engage in and benefit from tourism initiatives.
For more information on the Warren County occupancy tax, visit https://www.warrencountync.com/876/Occupancy-Tax-5.
For information on the Warren County Tourism Development Authority, visit https://warrencountync.com/902/Tourism-Development-Authority.
To contact Cherie Nielsen, email cherienielsen@warrencountync.gov.
Entertainment
Leela James Announced as New NeoSoul Festival Headliner
The vocal powerhouse will be performing in Norlina in April.
On Friday, March 7th at 8pm sharp, Seven Springs Farms and Vineyard announced via social media, singer Leela James will be taking the musical helm at their NeoSoul Festival on Saturday, April 26th.
From Seven Springs Farms and Vineyard: We are beyond excited to announce that the incomparable Leela James will be the featured artist at the 2025 Neo Soul Festival on Saturday, April 26th at Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard!
With her powerhouse vocals and soul-stirring hits like Fall for You, Complicated, Say That, and Music, Leela James brings the raw emotion that makes Neo-Soul so special.
Mark your calendars and get ready for a day of incredible music.
Tickets available at www.sevenspringsvineyards.com. We canโt wait to see you there!
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Leela James will be replacing the previously announced performer, Angie Stone, who tragically passed away earlier this month.
Entertainment
Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard Releases Statement About the Passing of NeoSoul Artist, Angie Stone
Singer/songwriter Angie Stone was set to headline their NeoSoul Festival in April.
Shortly after the tragic passing of legendary singer/songwriter Angie Stone who was set to headline their NeoSoul Festival in April, Seven Springs Farms and Vineyard released a statement on social media.
We are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Angie Stone and others from a tragic accident. Her vibrant life ended far too soon, but her impact will continue to inspire us.
Our prayers and condolences are with all families during this time of grief.
Seven Springs has been in communication with Angie Stone’s management, and we will provide additional details this coming week regarding tickets.
We thank you for your patience.
At press time, Seven Springs has not stated what their next action will be for the NeoSoul Festival.
Angie Stone passed away in car accident in Alabama on Saturday, March 1st while en route to Baltimore, MD.
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