NEWTON, N.C. — Midstate Mills in Newtown has been operating since the early 1900s. The state told Eyewitness News it has received numerous complaints against the company from local farmers who say the mill owes them tens of thousands of dollars.
Farmer Jerry Wyant showed Channel 9 the three contracts he had with Midstate Mills to purchase his wheat earlier this summer. He says he delivered 19,000 bushels, but hasn't seen a dime from the company.
"You know, I just feel like crying,” Wyant said. “I went out and got in my tractor-trailer and I did cry because I knew I lost $148,000."
Wyant isn't alone.
John Blanton farms in the Vale community and says he too took his wheat to the Midstate Mills in late June and still hasn't been paid.
"I just want to know where our money went,” Blanton said. “If they took our wheat and processed it and made a profit off of it, why can't they pay us?"
Eyewitness News went to the corporate offices Thursday afternoon, but the doors were locked and the lights were out.
Channel 9 called the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, who said they believe there are as many as 20 farmers who haven't been paid.
"Under state law, a grain dealer must promptly pay for grain that it purchases from growers and, of course, our main concern is to see that farmers are paid," said Brian Long with the Department of Agriculture.
If that doesn't happen, the state said it can revoke Midstate Mills’ grain dealer license.
Wyant is trying to reach out to other farmers who've been impacted. Blanton is worried about his next crop.
"Most people live from paycheck to paycheck,” Blanton said. “Well, our paycheck is our crop."
Eyewitness News called the company Thursday afternoon and visited the site. No one called back and the employees said they couldn't talk.
WSOC
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