John Randolph Whichard

John Randolph Whichard is the Republican candidate for an at‑large seat on the Halifax County Board of Commissioners in the 2026 election. He is running county‑wide and has been actively campaigning on issues that affect local agriculture and community markets [11].

Whichard has lived in Halifax County for nearly two decades. He began growing produce at the age of 13 and moved into more serious farming about eight years ago when he established his own farm on North Carolina Highway 4 near Littleton. He describes himself as a local produce farmer who has spent most of his adult life working the land in the county [11].

In addition to farming, Whichard has taken on the role of a certified market manager. Over the past two years he has been working to revive the Roanoke Valley Farmers Market, which was closed and repurposed for county storage in 2023. He has spoken with county officials about reopening the market at its former location on U.S. Highway 158, a site he says is highly accessible to the county’s 15,000‑plus residents and to traffic heading to Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Lake [11].

To advance the market’s revival, Whichard organized an interest meeting at Timber Waters, inviting potential vendors such as farmers, soap crafters, woodworkers, quilters, bakers, and other food‑product makers. He reports having identified roughly 26 interested vendors and has secured a volunteer to serve as market manager for the first two years at no cost. He also became a certified market manager himself, noting that only three local farmers are needed to accept USDA senior nutrition vouchers, which currently must be redeemed in neighboring counties. Whichard and his fiancée plan to open a market on their own farm in May, but he emphasizes that a county‑run market would better serve Halifax’s population [11].

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners holds regular public meetings where commissioners consider community input and make decisions on county matters. Whichard is encouraging residents to speak during the public‑comment portion of the April 6 board meeting to support the market’s reopening, illustrating the participatory role commissioners play in shaping local policy [11].

Sources

• [11] Page A1 | e-Edition | rrdailyherald.com