Farming in North Carolina: Crops, Livestock, and Challenges

North Carolina's agriculture is diverse and economically vital (~50,000 farms):

• Top crops: Corn (grain/silage), soybeans, tobacco (~15% of U.S. total), wheat, cotton, peanuts, sweet potatoes, fruits, vegetables.
• Livestock: Leading producer of pigs, chickens, turkeys; growing cattle and dairy sectors.

Challenges: Commodity price swings, weather (hurricanes, drought), pests/diseases, regulations.

Innovation: Precision agriculture, sustainability programs, research partnerships with NC State University.

Farming remains a cultural and economic cornerstone of the state.