Alabama’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Visits Centre

Rick Pate, Commissioner of Ag and Industries in Alabama spoke to the Cherokee County Republican Club on Saturday during their quarterly breakfast meeting.

Pate said he was pleased to see so many in attendance including residents of Etowah and DeKalb Counties. Senator Andrew Jones helped spearheaded the event and State Representative Ginny Shaver was there also along with most elected officials of Cherokee County. The Cherokee County Farmers Federation had a large delegation represented to hear the Commissioner address their Industry.

The Commissioner addressed many subjects and told the group that most everything that goes on in the state with Agriculture and Industries comes through his office for over sight and regulation. He spoke about a few things including weights and measures which includes gas pumps, scales at the grocery store, scales that weigh rock, gravel, sand and other products has his department’s stamp on it certifying the weight is correct.

He also spoke about the issue with the shortage and high price of eggs. He told the group the main culprit was the avian flu which has killed more than 38 million laying hens across the country. He said that created a great shortage which in turn caused an increase in price due to the short supply and the great demand. He said as the birds are replaced and get into production, the prices will come down as the supply increases.

Pate was a very entertaining and informative speaker