for people like lorenda and harrell overman, rural north carolina will always be home.o them, tending crops and livestock on their farm is more than an occupationit's a deeply rewarding way of life. but right now, many rural business owners and farmers are struggling. lack of broadband access, trade tariffs and natural disasters have hit them hard. last year, the overmans saw their soybean crop wiped out by hurricane florence, threatening their ability to keep their 18 full-time employees. thanks to the bipartisan hurricane relief bill we passed, the overmans and many other farmers like them are getting help. the overmans are determined to make their business thrive and pass it on to their kidsthe next generation of farmers. lorenda and harrell, please stand so we can let you and other farmers across our state know we're with you. [applause] we all know about rural challenges. so that's why last year, i launched hometown strong. it's already making a difference, strengthening relationships between state government and over a dozen rural counties. for instance, some smal