Fairview Farmer Jamie Ager Announces Campaign for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District
July 31, 2025
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Fairview, NC — Today, fourth-generation farmer and Western NC native Jamie Ager announced his campaign as a Democrat against Congressman Chuck Edwards in North Carolina’s 11th US Congressional District. Operating his family farm, Ager has experienced the impact that reckless tariffs have had on Western North Carolina farmers and the challenges that families are facing right now with increased food costs and damaging cuts to healthcare coverage. In his announcement video, Ager touted his work ethic, honesty, and family values, along with the need for community and cooperation in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Helene.
“I know the challenges we face as a country are big,” Ager said in his announcement video, “Rising costs hurt our businesses and our families, Medicaid insures my neighbors and my friends and now it’s being ripped away, and the weather that batters us is only getting worse. Helping the rich get richer on the backs of hardworking Americans isn’t working, and in my humble opinion, it doesn’t have to be this way.”
JAMIE AGER’S LAUNCH VIDEO
“The challenges we face are big, but how we arrive at the answers is probably pretty simple,” said Ager. “Be honest. Be curious. Work together. That’s how you run a farm—imagine if it’s how we ran our country.”
About Jamie Ager
Jamie Ager is a fourth-generation farmer, entrepreneur, and proud son of Western North Carolina. Born in Fairview and raised on his family’s Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Jamie has spent his life growing food, building community, and working with people. From a young age, Jamie was taught the values of public service, hard work, and neighborliness.
Jamie graduated from A.C. Reynolds High School and earned degrees from Warren Wilson College in Environmental Studies with a concentration in sustainable agriculture and History. There, he met Amy, his wife and partner in life and business. Together, they returned to Fairview to start a family and built Hickory Nut Gap, a sustainable meat company that today supports 25 employees and works with dozens of farmers across the region.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Jamie and his community were tested in ways they’d never imagined. Jamie was proud to see how people organized, shared what little they had, and rebuilt together. That experience reaffirmed his belief in the generosity of our community and highlighted how the government often lags behind in times of crisis. It deepened his resolve to push for smarter, faster, and more responsive systems that actually meet people’s needs.
As the proud father of three sons, Jamie cares deeply about our future. He’s concerned about big challenges like recovering from Hurricane Helene, affordability for working families, and preserving our environment and culture. He’s also outspoken about the need to support local businesses and putting Western North Carolina first. He’s never been afraid to stand up for what’s right, even if it means speaking out against his own party or taking on extremists.
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