Western North Carolina is hurting. Too many families can’t afford a home, a doctor’s visit, or even to stay in the towns their families built. We’ve watched hospitals close, paychecks shrink, and working people fall further behind while billionaires, corporations, and career politicians in Washington get richer and more disconnected from the people they serve.
Hurricane Helene made it worse, but it didn’t create these problems. It exposed them.
Career politicians showed up after Helene with cameras and promises. Then they left. I’m still here, and I’m running to make sure we never get forgotten again.
We don’t need more soundbites from Washington. We need leadership rooted in service, humility, and common sense – leadership that remembers that every policy affects a person, every headline hides a human story.
I’m not running to climb the political ladder. I’m running to rebuild trust in our government and restore faith in what’s possible when we put people first.
Overview
Over the last 15 months, grocery prices have risen by over 25%, and families across Western North Carolina are looking for ways to take control of their food costs. Rising prices, supply-chain disruptions, and limited access to fresh food hit especially hard in our rural and mountain communities.
At the same time, many households already grow food at home, keep chickens, or want to start but face upfront costs that make it difficult. The Homegrown Families Tax Credit would provide targeted, practical support to households that are taking steps to produce food at home – both as a hobby and in effort to lower food costs and improve nutrition.
The Proposal
Create a $500 refundable federal tax credit for households that engage in small-scale home agriculture at their primary residence. This includes:
The credit is refundable, ensuring that lower- and middle-income families benefit even if they owe little or no federal income tax.
Why a tax credit? Using the existing tax code allows families to claim this benefit without creating new bureaucracy, means-testing at the point of purchase, or complex application processes. It’s simple, direct relief that meets families where they are.
Eligibility
To ensure the program supports working families, and not large agricultural operations, the activity must occur at the taxpayer’s primary residence and the credit would be available to:
Qualified Expenses
To claim the credit, households must incur at least $200 in eligible expenses during the tax year—roughly the cost of starting a modest backyard garden or small chicken coop. The average American household that gardens spends approximately $616 annually on gardening supplies.
Eligible expenses may include:
Claimants would self-certify and maintain basic documentation such as receipts, similar to the Home Office Deduction and other household tax credits. Standard IRS audit procedures would apply.
Who this helps: An estimated 38,000–54,000 households in North Carolina’s 11th District could benefit annually. The district has approximately 300,000 households, with an estimated 25-30% engaged in or interested in home food production—higher than the national average due to the district’s rural character and mountain farming traditions.
District cost estimate: $19–27 million annually for NC-11
National cost estimate: If expanded nationwide, approximately $9.75 billion annually, based on an estimated 19.5 million participating households from the roughly 131 million U.S. households.
What it achieves:
This credit is designed to complement current programs such as SNAP, WIC, and existing farm subsidies. While those programs address immediate food access, the Homegrown Family Tax Credit empowers families to stretch their food dollars further, build long-term food security, and strengthen local food systems from the ground up.
Why This Matters for Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina has a long tradition of gardening, canning, and small-scale food production. This policy recognizes that tradition and aims to encourage it as a modern cost-of-living solution. Instead of sending more subsidies to corporate agriculture, this proposal puts money directly into the hands of families who are doing the work to feed themselves and their neighbors. It’s about meeting people where they are, respecting what they already know how to do, and giving them the support to do more of it.
Supporting Data and Research
NC-11 Population and Households
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau data; North Carolina State Demographics Board; Congressional district profiles
National Gardening Data
Sources: National Gardening Association; Garden Research surveys; USDA Economic Research Service studies on home food production
Regional Context
Household Gardening Spending
Sources: National Gardening Association Annual Survey; Home & Garden Industry Research
Tax Credit Participation Rates
Sources: IRS Statistics of Income; Tax Policy Center analysis of refundable credit participation
Cost Projections
NC-11 District Level
National Level (if expanded)
Grocery Price Context
Food Price Inflation
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index; USDA Economic Research Service Food Price Outlook
Public Health and Food Security Benefits
Nutritional Impact
Sources: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior; American Journal of Public Health; USDA Food Security studies
Community Resilience
Sources: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development; Economic Research Service reports on household food resilience
Population and household estimates are based on U.S. Census Bureau data and standard household size calculations. Participation rate estimates are derived from national gardening surveys adjusted for the rural character of NC-11. Cost projections use conservative take-up rate assumptions based on similar refundable tax credit programs. All figures should be considered estimates subject to actual program implementation and participation patterns.
Healthcare should be affordable, accessible, and local. As a family physician, I’ve seen the cost of inaction – rural hospitals at risk of closing, patients delaying care, and families going into debt for basic treatment.
Here’s what I’ll work to achieve:
The cost of living is crushing working families. I’ll champion policies that put money back in your pocket:
Hurricane Helene destroyed our homes. Washed away our roads and livelihoods. Months later, too many families are still waiting for help. This administration and our current representative have broken the social contract – while other hurricane disasters received 60-75% of total aid relief, we sit at 9%. Rural areas are being left behind again.
Here’s my commitment:
Congress must reclaim its constitutional role instead of ceding power to the executive branch and special interests.
We have a generational responsibility: every child has a right to have access to the highest quality education, that is the promise of America for those who come after us, our children and grandchildren.
While the States have the fundamental responsibility for funding education, including teacher pay, the Federal government has responsibilities to ensure accountability of the States to provide the highest level of education for each child.
The destruction of the Department of Education abdicates its accountability and has immediately and dangerously passed more funding responsibilities to the States which do not have the ability to pivot on a moment’s notice.
The Federal government has a responsibility to fund special education for all children in need.
The Federal government has a responsibility to set national standards of accountability, supporting innovation and best practices.
Strengthen the VA, expand mental health and addiction treatment, and ensure rural veterans get equal access to benefits and care.
Defend equal protection under law, guarantee due process, support judicial independence, and ensure the right to representation.
With debt approaching $40 trillion, we need serious solutions that don’t balance the budget on the backs of working families.
Reform tax policy so the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share while working families get relief.
