March 2019 - 55

FGN
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Q&A WITH CHALMERS CARR
Chalmers Carr, a firstgeneration
farmer, is the
owner and operator of
Titan Farms, a premier
grower, packer and
processor of peaches and
vegetables in the eastern
United States. The farming
operation consists of over
6,200 acres of peaches, 600
acres of bell pepper and
1,000 acres of broccoli and employs over 790 H-2A
workers annually.
Realizing that access to a secure legal workforce
would be integral to the future of specialty crop
agriculture, Carr has dedicated part of his time
away from the farm to educating fellow farmers
and elected officials in Washington, D.C., on the
need for immigration reform, especially the need
for a viable guest worker program for agriculture.
He firmly believes in supporting the specialty crop
industry through supporting research initiatives and
governmental involvement.
Carr currently serves as president of USA
Farmers, a national organization representing H-2A
employers. USA Farmers is a founding member
of the Agriculture Workforce Coalition, a group
of organizations representing the diverse needs
of agricultural employers across the country and
unifying the agriculture industry in an effort to
ensure America's farmers have access to a stable and
secure workforce now and in the future.
Throughout his career Carr has served on various
committees and received many professional
accolades. Currently he serves on the USDA Fruit
& Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, the
American Farm Bureau Labor Advisory Committee
and the South Carolina Agriculture Commission. He
has served as president of the South Carolina Peach
Council and was named Farm Journal's Top Producer
of the Year in 2017.
Carr earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural
economics from Clemson University and has been
married to his wife Lori Anne for 27 years. They are
the parents of Chalmers IV, 22, and Carlyle Anne,
21. They spend time away from the farm enjoying
Clemson football and having fun at the lake with
family and friends.
?
2 What are your goals for the next 12 months?
Pass meaningful immigration reform. Continue to develop my leadership
team at Titan Farms in order to grow and expand the footprint of our family
farming enterprise.
1What are the best words of advice you've ever
received?
If you decide to go into the H-2A program you will spend less time worrying
about your on-farm workforce and more time being able to grow your business.
3What do you do to relax? 4 What would you
I enjoy being outdoors on the lake,
riding four-wheelers or hunting in the
woods.
like to be your
lasting legacy?
That I made a positive impact on
my family, my employees, our
community and the agriculture
industry.
5What are the top things on your bucket list?
Go to outer space.
Skydive.
Tour Italy.
6What job or work
would you have
pursued if you had not
been in the fruit and
vegetable industry?
Pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
7What is the one truth
you've learned about
the fruit and vegetable
industry?
It is ever-changing weather climates,
markets or innovation.
COMING NEXT MONTH
KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD BE FEATURED?
Email Gary Pullano at
fgnedit@fruitgrowersnews.com,
or call 616-520-2144.
APRIL: FOOD SAFETY ISSUE
* Biocontrols
* Irrigation & Water Managment
* Packaging
* Small Fruit
FGN | MARCH 2019 | 55
March 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2019
