WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tapped two North Carolinians to be agriculture advisers for his campaign. Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson County) and Bob Goodale, the former CEO of grocery chain Harris Teeter, are joining a high profile group that includes six governors to lead agriculture policy for Trump.The 64-member list is circulating because of it has a number of industry heavyweights. In addition to Jackson and Goodale, It includes John Block, former head of the USDA; and Jim Gilmore, former governor of Virginia and chairman of Report on Terrorism and Agro-Terrorism. The list indicates the campaign is focusing on the role of agriculture in national security.”Trump believes agriculture is as much a part of national security as is our military,” said Jackson. “As long as we can produce our own food that’s a step up from other countries. He is also adamant about being less dependent on foreign oil, so you’ll see experts on biofuels in this group.”North Carolina agriculture accounts for 17 percent of the state’s economy, contributing approximately $84 billion in annual to the state’s GDP. Growing more than 80 varieties of food and fiber, N.C. is the largest producer of sweet potatoes and tobacco of any state in the nation, and the second largest of Christmas trees, hogs and turkeys.”There are no stronger environmentalists than agriculture community. We raise our children and grandchildren on this land,” said Jackson. “There’s got to be a balance between what is common sense and what is good for the environment.”
