N.C. Agriculture: Feeding Families, Growing the Economy

As more people move to the urban centers of North Carolina, consumers risk losing previously close connections with where their food comes from. While out of sight and out of mind at times, agriculture is ever-present in our daily lives.

And as a $92.7 billion industry, N.C. agriculture should never be taken for granted. Agriculture remains North Carolina’s biggest economic driver, employing 17% of the state’s workforce, while feeding, fueling and clothing people around the world.

“No farms, no food” is just the tip of the iceberg. Agriculture benefits everyone in many ways, every day.

Join Ryan Adams with NC State Extension as he shares why agriculture is important to everyone in our state, not just the 47,000 farms who supply most of the foods in our local grocery stores.

5 Fast Facts | N.C. Agriculture

• The agriculture industry supports more than 700,000 jobs
• More than 80 different crops and commodities are grown in North Carolina
• More than 8 million acres of land are used for farming
• North Carolina leads the nation in sweet potato, egg and poultry production, and ranks in the top three for Christmas trees, pork, trout and turkeys
• NC State generates a $1.6 billion annual impact from research and extension with just four key crops (blueberry, peanut, sweet potato and tobacco) while supporting over 13,000 related jobs in 97 of the state’s 100 counties