North Carolina Shows Small-Town America Absorbs Hispanic Surge
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Without a growing Hispanic population in the rolling hills of rural North Carolina, Bottomley Evergreens & Farms Inc., a provider of Christmas trees to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Home Depot Inc., would be out of business.
“If it weren’t for the Hispanic people, I couldn’t farm, couldn’t do nothing,” said Blan Bottomley, 64, who has 4.5 million firs planted this year and fields of pumpkins, cabbage and sweet corn taking root nearby. His son and co-owner Mitchell, 37, said he’s gleaned some know-how from the migrant workers.