Now to introduce myself. My name is John Layton, I am a 5th generation farmer born and raised here in Chowan County.

Challenges Facing Farmers: Insights from John Layton - Albemarle Observer

I can remember my young days on the farm handpicking produce and chopping weeds over my summer break, telling myself I would never come back to the farm! Well, it’s funny how life turns out, and here I am 37 years old going on my 14th farming season, since graduating from NC State Dec 2010 majoring in Ag Business/Economics minor.

Well, it’s funny how life turns out, and here I am 37 years old going on my 14th farming season, since graduating from NC State Dec 2010 majoring in Ag Business/Economics minor. I have a wife and a 4-year-old son whom I hope one day wants to come home and take over the family farm.

John T. Layton was born and raised in Chowan County. He graduated from NC State in 2010, majoring in agricultural business/economics. He is married and has one son.

Chowan County to take closer look at joining Albemarle District jail

My dad and I farm in a Partnership of 1,800 acres of row crop.

Today we grow 3 types of crops: peanuts, cotton, and soybeans. We have transitioned and grown a variety of crops over the years. Over time our rotation has adapted to these 3 commodities due to the simple fact they are what we can financially survive on year in and year out.

John farms 1,800 acres of row crops in a partnership with his father, growing peanuts, cotton, and soybeans.

Board of Supervisors:
Carey Y. Parrish, IV, Chairman
John T. Layton, Vice Chairman
Matthew L. Floyd, Sec/Treas
Meeting: Held throughout the year. Posted at the Chowan SWCD office and open to the public.

Chowan Soil and Water Conservation District

The Chowan Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a non-profit subdivision of the State of North Carolina and is charged by state law with the responsibility of promoting conservation and coordinating all the resource activities within Chowan County. The Board of Supervisors are elected officials and have the responsibility of carrying out the NC Agriculture Cost-Share Program that was set up by the General Assembly in 1985 to address non-point source pollution.

John serves on the Chowan Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors.

Soil & Water - Welcome to Chowan County, N.C.

2026 North Carolina General Election

The U.S. farmer has struggled the past several years due to extreme weather patterns and congress refuses to agree on a new Farm Bill. Items that need attention in the Farm Bill are different for every farmer. Most can agree on crop insurance triggers and reference prices for PLC payments need to be reviewed. They were last amended in the 2012 farm bill, and with current inflation our input prices far exceed these old trigger prices. Crop insurance is all many farmers have to hedge their risk against a bad crop year.

For North Carolina farmers our subsidies come from the federal government (FSA). Our State does not subsidize the farmer. The U.S. farmer has struggled the past several years due to extreme weather patterns and congress refuses to agree on a new Farm Bill. Items that need attention in the Farm Bill are different for every farmer. Most can agree on crop insurance triggers and reference prices for PLC payments need to be reviewed. They were last amended in the 2012 farm bill, and with current inflation our input prices far exceed these old trigger prices. Crop insurance is all many farmers have to hedge their risk against a bad crop year. Our group of peanut growers visited the House and the Senate to speak with our state leaders. Our main talking point was for them to please sit down and agree on a commonsense farm bill that protects our nation’s farmers.

Only time will tell what exactly the outcome of the tariffs, the only thing I can do as a farmer is control the things I can control. Tough times make good business managers. We have a lot of amazing technology at our fingertips nowadays. If we, as farmers, can learn to use it to our advantage, we can considerably lessen our financial risk.

Advocates reviewing crop-insurance triggers and reference prices for agricultural payments.

Calls for Congress to agree on a farm bill that protects U.S. farmers.

Said farmers can use available technology to significantly reduce financial risk.

- Advocates reviewing crop-insurance triggers and reference prices for agricultural payments.
- Calls for Congress to agree on a farm bill that protects U.S. farmers.
- Said farmers can use available technology to significantly reduce financial risk.

Energy & the Environment

As of September 23, 2026, John T. Layton did not have a website or any information online.

Administration

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John T. Layton

- Calls for Congress to agree on a farm bill that protects U.S. farmers.
- Said farmers can use available technology to significantly reduce financial risk.

As of September 23, 2026, John T. Layton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Five Generations of Farming
Now to introduce myself. My name is John Layton, I am a 5th generation farmer born and raised here in Chowan County.

I can remember my young days on the farm handpicking produce and chopping weeds over my summer break, telling myself I would never come back to the farm! Well, it’s funny how life turns out, and here I am 37 years old going on my 14th farming season, since graduating from NC State Dec 2010 majoring in Ag Business/Economics minor. I have a wife and a 4-year-old son whom I hope one day wants to come home and take over the family farm.

John T. Layton was born and raised in Chowan County. He graduated from NC State, where he majored in agricultural business and economics. He has a wife and a son.

I do want to ask that everyone please slow down on the roads and have patience with farm equipment, we want to go home to our families just like you. My dad and I farm in a Partnership of 1,800 acres of row crop.

John T. Layton farms 1,800 acres of row crops in partnership with his father, growing peanuts, cotton, and soybeans.

Board of Supervisors:
Carey Y. Parrish, IV, Chairman
John T. Layton, Vice Chairman
Matthew L. Floyd, Sec/Treas
Meeting:	Held throughout the year. Posted at the Chowan SWCD office and open to the public.

Calls for reviewing crop-insurance triggers and reference prices for Price Loss Coverage payments in the Farm Bill.

Advocates for water conservation techniques and crop diversification to help farms adapt to climate-related changes in weather.

Advocates for government programs to offset rising farm-input costs and help farmers operate sustainably.

Calls for initiatives that expand smaller farms’ access to agricultural technology.

I do want to ask that everyone please slow down on the roads and have patience with farm equipment, we want to go home to our families just like you. My dad and I farm in a Partnership of 1,800 acres of row crop. Today we grow 3 types of crops: peanuts, cotton, and soybeans. We have transitioned and grown a variety of crops over the years.

John currently farms with his father as part of a partnership that grows peanuts, cotton, and soybeans on 1,800 acres of row crops.

Board of Supervisors:
Carey Y. Parrish, IV, Chairman
John T. Layton, Vice Chairman
Matthew L. Floyd, Sec/Treas

The Board of Supervisors are elected officials and have the responsibility of carrying out the NC Agriculture Cost-Share Program that was set up by the General Assembly in 1985 to address non-point source pollution.

Chowan County Soil and Water

John serves as a Chowan County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor.

Said Farm Bill crop-insurance triggers and reference prices need review.

Said farmers can use available technology to considerably reduce financial risk.

In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, farmers face a myriad of challenges that threaten their livelihoods and the sustainability of food production. John Layton, a seasoned farmer with decades of experience, shares his insights on the pressing issues confronting the farming community today.

Challenges Facing Farmers: Insights from John Layton

Advocates adapting farming practices to climate change through water conservation and crop diversification.

Advocates for government programs to help farmers address rising input costs and operate sustainably.

Calls for initiatives to expand smaller farms' access to data-driven farming tools and analysis.

Board of Supervisors:
Carey Y. Parrish, IV, Chairman
John T. Layton, Vice Chairman
Matthew L. Floyd, Sec/Treas

The Chowan Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a non-profit subdivision of the State of North Carolina and is charged by state law with the responsibility of promoting conservation and coordinating all the resource activities within Chowan County. The Board of Supervisors are elected officials and have the responsibility of carrying out the NC Agriculture Cost-Share Program that was set up by the General Assembly in 1985 to address non-point source pollution.

Soil & Water

John T. Layton serves on the Chowan Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, whose members are elected.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Matt Floyd

- A soil and water conservation district supervisor is 1 member of a board of 5 supervisors that works to improve the soil and water quality in the county through education. 
- The board of supervisors provide technical and financial assistance to help land users maintain their land and surrounding ecosystems. 
- The board of supervisors design long term conservation programs that teach environmental care, pollution reduction, and provide incentives for using these practices, especially for agricultural workers. 
- The board of supervisors provide short term educational services like competitions, field days, and workshops to educate the public on conservation. 
- Soil and water conservation district supervisors are elected to 4 year terms in non-partisan races. However, 2 of the board members are appointed by the state soil and water commission. 

Member of board of supervisors that creates aid programs and educates people on environmental conservation. 