Polling places will be set up in each county Cooperative Extension office. Horse owners will be able to vote on whether or not to extend, for ten years, a $4 per ton assessment being paid by manufacturers of horse feed sold in North Carolina.

“The feed assessment has provided essential funding to the North Carolina Horse Council to meet a wide variety of needs throughout the horse industry,” said Tom Thomas, President of the North Carolina Horse Council. “The economic impact of the horse industry is estimated to be over $1.2 billion annually, so it plays a huge role in supporting the NC economy. Employment of more than 10,000 people in North Carolina are directly or indirectly linked to the industry. This small self-assessment is just one way we can expand our services to horse owners and maximize the economic benefits of horse ownership.”

Polling places will be open during regular business hours in each Cooperative Extension Service office. Any horse owner/lessor, over the age of 9, can vote. 

~ Sarah Gottfried, Columbus, N.C.