Politics

Three local growers sign on to 'Farmers for Jamie'

Jamie Ager shown with pigs on his Fairview farm.

By Bill Moss, Published: July 17, 2026

Democratic candidate Jamie Ager on Friday announced the formation of Farmers for Jamie, made up of more than 60 farmers in the 11th Congressional District supporting his campaign. 

Henderson County farmers who signed on were Brent Coston of Bearwallow Valley Farms, Jay I. Lyda of Lyda Orchards and Jerred A. Nix of Jerred Nix Farms.

“Four generations of my family have farmed our land here in Fairview,” Ager said in a news release, “and I’m running for Congress to ensure our mountains remain a great place to farm, and that someday, I can pass them down to my own kids. I’m thrilled to have the support of many of my colleagues and neighbors in electing someone who will fight for family farms and not big agriculture to Congress.”

“I’ve known Jamie Ager over half my life," Swain County farmer Nate Darnell said, "and during that time I’ve never seen him do anything other than try to make the lives of the people around him better, while growing a business, a family, and his industry. Let’s start electing people with big hearts, great work ethic, and who want to be leaders, not politicians. In case of any confusion, I believe Jamie Ager’s just that kind of person.”

Ager has toured dozens of small farms on the campaign trail across the 11th District and will continue to do so in coming months. Farmers for Jamie will allow the Ager campaign to maintain open communication to ensure that Western North Carolina farmers have a representative who will hear their concerns now and in Congress, the campaign said.

Ager is a fourth-generation farmer, entrepreneur and proud son of Western North Carolina. Born in Fairview, he raised on his family’s Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Jamie has spent his life growing food, building community and working with people. From a young age, he was taught the values of public service, hard work, and neighborliness.

A graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School, he earned degrees in environmental studies with a concentration in sustainable agriculture and history from Warren Wilson College. There he met Amy, his wife and partner in life and business. Together, they returned to Fairview to start a family and built Hickory Nut Gap, a sustainable meat company that today supports 25 employees and works with dozens of farmers across the region.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Ager and his community were tested in ways they’d never imagined. Ager was proud to see how people organized, shared what little they had, and rebuilt together. That experience reaffirmed his belief in the generosity of our community and highlighted how the government often lags behind in times of crisis. It deepened his resolve to push for smarter, faster, and more responsive systems that actually meet people’s needs.

As the proud father of three sons — Cyrus, Nolin and Levi — Ager cares deeply about our future. He’s concerned about big challenges like recovering from Hurricane Helene, affordability for working families, and preserving our environment and culture. He’s also outspoken about the need to support local businesses and putting Western North Carolina first. He’s never been afraid to stand up for what’s right, even if it means speaking out against his own party or taking on extremists.