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Agriculture Commissioner candidate Corey Hill gives exclusive interview

  • Writer: Staff Report
    Staff Report
  • 4 days ago
  • 4 min read

Updated: 18 minutes ago


Corey Hill is currently serving as the mayor of Douglas in Marshall County and is running as a candidate for the position of Commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Hill has decades of experience owning a variety of businesses including an independent grocery store, poultry farming and as a school bus driver. In an exclusive interview with the Examiner, Hill shared details on his background and the vision he has for agriculture in Alabama.


Describing his qualifications for commissioner, Hill remarked;


I am a lifelong Republican, a dedicated grocery store operator, cattle farmer, poultry farmer, and the proud mayor of Douglas in Marshall County. With deep roots in rural life, I understand the balance of the demands of agriculture and public service with a steady hand and a passion for community development. My grocery store not only serves as a vital hub for local families but also reflects my commitment to supporting local producers and ensuring food access for all.
On our 4th generation family-run farm, I raise both cattle and poultry, maintaining a strong connection to the land and the values of hard work and sustainability. An expertise in farming informs my understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly small-scale producers. By staying hands-on in his agricultural operations on an actual working farm, I bring firsthand knowledge to conversations about food security, land use, and economic development in the region.
I handle my duties as Mayor with an approachable leadership style and practical problem-solving. I am proud of championing initiatives that strengthen local infrastructure, promote small businesses, and preserve the town’s rural character.

Hill shared his core beliefs in regards to protecting agriculture in Alabama.


Weather and fluctuating commodity prices can make farming a risky business. That’s why it’s especially important to protect our farmers from unfair trade deals. President Trump has done a great deal to help with that already - and I support those efforts. I also support more extensive testing of imported shrimp, catfish, meats and produce to make sure those food items are safe and that they are produced under the same high standards our farmers adhere to. It’s also important to make sure fair trade is practiced in our timber industry. In the past, other countries have shipped in government-subsidized lumber and pulp that undercut the prices our timber owners could receive for their products. President Trump has again helped to level the playing field so that our timber owners can compete fairly with those imports. As commissioner, I would support President Trump and use my authority to enforce any legal standard that would help Alabama farmers and timber owners to have a fair advantage. I also would work against any burdensome, unfair, overreaching environmental standards that would place more costs on farmers, ranchers and timber owners that always end up costing the average Alabama family more in the long run.

Safeguarding agriculture in Alabama from predatory out of state investors was another focus that Hill commented on.


Alabama has the fourth-highest amount of foreign-owned farmland in the United States with 2.2 million acres. Some of this land was purchased by global companies operating within Alabama that serve investors from numerous countries. I support several state and federal measures which have already sought to curb that trend. In 2023, the Legislature passed the Alabama Property Protection Act which says no 'foreign principal' shall acquire title or a controlling interest in agricultural and forest properties, as well as any land or property in close proximity to military installations and critical infrastructure.
I support U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who along with U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), has recently reintroduced a bill to strengthen reporting requirements for foreign owners of American farmland.
Alabama is blessed to have an abundance of farmland and timber land. While landowners should have the right to sell their property if they choose, we cannot afford to allow huge land grabs that would allow foreign countries to dictate how that land is used. A country that produces its own food and fiber is crucial to keeping us a free and prosperous country. A country that cannot feed itself, cannot successfully defend itself. Alabama first. America first.

Bringing agriculture business that has been lost back to Alabama and expanding to new industries never seen before is a key priority for Hill.


Alabama has a thriving farm-to-market program that the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries oversees. The department was instrumental in creating the Sweet Grown Alabama program that highlights locally grown food. And while everyone can’t buy everything they need at a farmers market, as a grocery store owner I understand the importance of providing fresh food to consumers. There’s nothing better than locally grown fruits and vegetables and farm-fresh meats. I support future growth of farmers markets and local butcher shops that allow farmers to sell their meat and poultry to consumers.
Alabama is fortunate to be have three wonderful land-grant universities that are working hard to create new opportunities for farmers and ranchers. Research at Auburn University, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University is opening new doors in the development and improvement of crop varieties and livestock production.
Alabama’s poultry industry has a $15 Billion annual economic impact in our state. Auburn University has a Poultry Research and Education Center that’s helping farmers improve production methods and reduce costs. The National Poultry Technology Center, also at Auburn, focuses on improving profitability for farmers.

Summing up his thoughts, Hill concluded with a special message for readers of the Examiner.


Although this position may not get the attention that the position of Governor or Attorney General gets, and I understand that, it is responsible for very important aspects of our lives. I can not express how important the protection of our food supply is to the families of our state. We must focus on protecting both the production and safety aspects of our food supply.

 
 
 

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