Appeared as a Sponsored Section in the March 2018 issue.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is pleased to partner with Business North Carolina on its annual Cash Crop section. In the following pages you will find outstanding examples of businesses at the forefront of the agricultural revolution in North Carolina. They include profiles on public-private partnerships, research initiatives and startups that are finding new ways to build upon our state’s agricultural heritage, know-how and natural resources to prepare for the demands of tomorrow.
The following pages are agriculture stories, but I think you will quickly notice that agriculture stories are also business stories. They are manufacturing stories and technology stories. Agriculture stories are transportation stories and health care stories. Agriculture touches every other sector of the state’s economy, especially in our rural communities.
As you probably know, agriculture is the top industry in North Carolina. In fact, it makes up nearly $85 billion of the state’s $500 billion economy. In addition, agriculture and agribusiness employ 16 percent of the state’s workforce. More important, agriculture is a dynamic industry with world-class research programs and innovative businesses located from the mountains to the coast.
Without question, agriculture is a growth industry with tremendous potential. The United Nations estimates farmers globally will need to produce 70% to 100% more food by 2050 because of an increasing global population.
As commissioner of agriculture, I would like to see the state’s agriculture industry grow to $100 billion. I believe we can achieve this ambitious goal, but it will take continued innovation and perseverance from the agricultural sector and larger business community to make it happen.
The following profiles are just a sample of the diversity you’ll find in North Carolina agriculture. I hope you enjoy learning more about the state’s top industry.
Commissioner Steve Troxler, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
To read more of the section click on the links below:
Food science centers packing multi-billion dollar impact
Slim Jim marketer cooks up plant-based alternative
Butler Farms uses hog waste, solar power to generate energy