Colby 'Bear' Hammonds was born and raised on a family farm in the Saddletree community of Lumberton, NC. He attended North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Master of Business Administration. Hammonds and his family are regular attendees of Hope Community Church in Apex, NC. He is a family man, serving as a Den Leader in his son's Boy Scouts Pack and has a history of community involvement through mentorship with Big Brother Big Sisters of America.

Colonel (retired) Colby 'Bear' Hammonds has over 33 years of military service, having served in the North Carolina Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserves. His career included roles from an enlisted tank crewmember to Director of Accounting with the United States Army Forces Command. He has also held the position of G8 Accounting Director at the United States Army Forces Command. Prior to his retirement, Hammonds performed Comptroller duties for the North Carolina Army National Guard.

As of February 12, 2024, Colby (bear) Hammonds’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Supports small-scale farmers as essential to the economy and local food security, and views their stability as crucial to larger agricultural enterprises, advocating for policies that protect producers at all levels.

Supports small-scale farmers as essential to the economy and local food security, and views their stability as crucial to larger agricultural enterprises.

Supports protecting family farms in North Carolina, recognizing their crucial role in the state's agricultural legacy, and plans to enact policies to sustain and promote farming for future generations.

Plans to enact policies to sustain and promote farming for future generations.

Said, "From a young age, farming and 4H was a big part of my life. On the family farm everyone plays a part."

The candidate's website says, "Firsthand experience with crops, horses, cow/calf, poultry, and pork production"

- Supports small-scale farmers as essential to the economy and local food security, and views their stability as crucial to larger agricultural enterprises.
- Plans to enact policies to sustain and promote farming for future generations.
- Said, "From a young age, farming and 4H was a big part of my life. On the family farm everyone plays a part."
- The candidate's website says, "Firsthand experience with crops, horses, cow/calf, poultry, and pork production"

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As of June 20, 2025, Colby (bear) Hammonds’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Colby (bear) Hammonds

Steve was raised in Browns Summit. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in conservation with a concentration in environmental studies from North Carolina State University. He is married to his wife, Sharon, and together they have two grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.

Steve is the founder, owner, and operator of Troxler Farms, where he has produced tobacco, wheat, vegetables, and soybeans. He has also served as the president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and is the former chairman of NASDA's Food Regulation and Nutrition Committee.

Steve was elected as the Commissioner of Agriculture in 2005. He has held national leadership roles in agriculture, including serving as Chairman for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

The candidate's website says, "Troxler is a past president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture... He also is a former chairman of NASDA’s Food Regulation and Nutrition Committee and was honored with a 2015 NASDA award for his commitment to food safety..."

The candidate's website says, "In the last 10 years the value of North Carolina agricultural exports to other markets has nearly doubled, and now amounts to $4.2 billion in North Carolina products exported around the world."

The candidate's website says, "He also serves on the boards of the N.C. Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation... He is a member of numerous organizations, including the N.C. Tobacco Research Commission..."

The candidate's website says, "During his career, Troxler also has been honored with the Conservation Guardian Award of the Guilford County Soil Conservation Service; ... the Phillip Morris Outstanding Young Tobacco Farmer Award; ... the Outstanding Young Farmer Award from the North Carolina Jaycees; the N.C. Agricultural Extension Service’s Outstanding Service Award; ... and an Honorary State FFA Degree. His family was named 'Tobacco Farm Family of the Year' by the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina."

The candidate's website says, "Fifteen Voluntary Agricultural Districts and 38 farmland protection plans have been funded by the Trust Fund."

The candidate's website says, "In 2011 the General Assembly showed its confidence in Commissioner Troxler by transferring the North Carolina Forest Service, Soil and Water Conservation, Sleep Products and Grade A Milk Inspection to the Department of Agriculture"

The candidate's website says, "For his work in farming and as a public servant, Commissioner Troxler has been recognized with numerous awards... He was named a 2016 Tobacco Great and received a 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award, both from the N.C. State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences... His support of agritourism and several major tourism projects in the state earned him the 2014 Public Service Award from the N.C. Travel Industry Association... the 2013 Forest Conservationist of the Year Award from the N.C. Wildlife Federation; the 2012 Meritorious Service Award from the N.C. Soybean Producers Association; the 2011 Elliot O. Grosvenor Food Safety Award from the Association of Food and Drug Officials... and a leadership award from the Western North Carolina Livestock Center and WNC Communities."

The candidate's website says, "Other initiatives under Commissioner Troxler’s leadership include Operation Brighter Day, Hay Relief, Pollinator Program, Ag Forum and the Food Safety Taskforce."

The candidate's website says, "North Carolina has 96 local soil and water conservation districts that do a lot of great work for our state’s number one industry! We are proud of their dedication and look forward to seeing their work continued in 2024!"

Plans to continue aiding the agricultural community through disaster response and public service, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced his candidacy for a sixth term at the North Carolina Farm Bureau meeting in Greensboro.

Believes in the growth of agriculture as North Carolina's top economic sector, highlighting its rise from $59 billion to over $103 billion and the state's leadership in various crops and livestock. Seeks reelection as Agriculture Commissioner.

Believes in the growth of agriculture as North Carolina's top economic sector, highlighting its rise from $59 billion to over $103 billion and the state's leadership in various crops and livestock.

The candidate's website says, "Since taking office in 2005, Troxler has focused on developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply."

As Agriculture Commissioner, he has focused on "developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply."

Plans to continue aiding the agricultural community through disaster response and service, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler commits to a sixth term, citing a calling to help people amid challenges faced by North Carolina's state and farmers.

Plans to continue aiding the agricultural community through disaster response and service.

The candidate's website says, "The “Got To Be NC” agricultural marketing program has been a huge success... The campaign started as an extension of the “Goodness Grows in North Carolina” program to raise awareness of agricultural products grown, raised, caught or made right here in North Carolina."

Supports the “Got To Be NC” agricultural marketing program, which raises awareness of North Carolinan agricultural products, and believes it has been a major success.

Supports local meat production, noting a rise from one registered meat handler in 2002 to 850, highlighting increased farmer control and consumer access to fresh, local meats.

Supports local meat production, saying "In 2002 there was only one farmer registered as a meat handler. As of last year, the division had registered 850 farmers."

- As Agriculture Commissioner, he has focused on "developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply."
- Plans to continue aiding the agricultural community through disaster response and service.
- Supports the “Got To Be NC” agricultural marketing program, which raises awareness of North Carolinan agricultural products, and believes it has been a major success.
- Supports local meat production, saying "In 2002 there was only one farmer registered as a meat handler. As of last year, the division had registered 850 farmers."

Supports the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund's efforts in conserving over 10,000 acres and funding 47 projects, including farmers markets and agribusiness initiatives, since 2005.

Supports the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, saying it "has conserved more than 10,000 acres of working farms and forests from development through conservation easements".

- Supports the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, saying it "has conserved more than 10,000 acres of working farms and forests from development through conservation easements".

As of June 20, 2025, Steve Troxler’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "Since 2005, we have experienced a 29 percent increase in the agriculture and agribusiness industries. These industries today contribute nearly 80 billion dollars every year to North Carolina’s economy."

- Believes in the growth of agriculture as North Carolina's top economic sector, highlighting its rise from $59 billion to over $103 billion and the state's leadership in various crops and livestock.

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Steve Troxler

- The Commissioner of Agriculture protects, maintains, and enhances the ability of agriculture to produce food. 
- The Commissioner of Agriculture enforces regulations dealing with agriculture needed to supply food.
- The Commissioner of Agriculture oversees an office of over 2,000 employees. 
- The Commissioner of Agriculture is elected for a four-year term. The position has no term limits.

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, Republican Primary

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