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We dig it presentation 10 17 14
This document discusses trends in agriculture in Wayne County, North Carolina. It notes that the percentage of Americans living on farms has declined drastically from 1790 to present day, while agricultural productivity has increased enormously over the same period. It provides statistics showing that farming and agribusiness make up a significant portion of Wayne County's economy and employment. The number of farms in Wayne County has declined significantly from 1950 to 2007, while farm acreage and gross farm income have also decreased, reflecting trends toward larger, more efficient farm operations.
We dig it presentation 10 17 14
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- 2. US Farm Population • 1790 93% of Americans on the farm • 1940 20% of Americans on the farm 40% of NC lived on the farm • 2005 <1.5% of Americans on the farm Source: USDA Economic Research Service
- 3. Food Provided byFarmers 1790 – Farmers hoped to feed the family 1940 – One farmer feeds 19 people 1990 – One farmer feeds 129 people 2012- One Farmer Feeds 155 people Source: USDA Economic Research
- 4. Percent of Disposable Income Spent on Food U.S. 10% Italy 14% China 33% Pakistan 46% Source: USDA Research Service
- 5. Did You Know? Agribusiness is represented by the • Agriculture/Food Industries • Natural Fiber Industries • Forestry Industries Dr. Michael Walden North Carolina State University
- 6. Did You Know? Agribusiness is the #1 industry in North Carolina bringing in $78 billion to the State’s economy. Dr. Michael Walden North Carolina State University
- 7. Did You Know? Wayne County is the 4rd largest agricultural county in the state. NC Department of Agriculture
- 8. Did You Know? Farming and Agribusiness is 21% of the total county’s gross income representing $1.04 billion Dr. Michael Walden North Carolina State University
- 9. Did You Know? Farming and Agribusiness is 20.% of the county’s employment representing 8,916 jobs Dr. Michael Walden North Carolina State University
- 10. Did You Know? Wayne County Top Manufacturers Wayne County Top Manufacturers Employees 1. Case Farms 1,095 2. Cooper Standard Automotive, Inc. 938 3. Goldsboro Milling Company 800 4. Mount Olive Pickle Co. 625 5. Georgia Pacific 529 6. Franklin Baking Company 502 7. AAR 377 8. Uchiyama America, Inc. 354 9. AP Exhaust Technologies 329 Wayne County Economic Development Alliance, Inc. 2014
- 11. Did You Know? Wayne County • 191,195 farmland acres • Representing 54% of county acres 2012 US Census of Agriculture
- 13. Wayne County GrossFarm Income 1980 $ 148 Million 1990 $ 193 Million 2000 $ 275 Million 2012 $ 353 Million NCDA&CS Ag Statistics
- 14. Wayne County CropAcreage 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0 1950 1997 2007 Acreage 290,887 229,423 175,265
- 15. Number of Farmsin Wayne County 5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1950 1997 2007 Number of Farms 4,915 827 732
- 16. Trends in WayneCounty • Competition for land • Larger, more diverse and efficient farms • Small specialty farms with niche markets
- 17. Wayne County Agriculture Can You Dig It?
- 18. Wayne County Agriculture Can you Dig It?
Editor's Notes
- #3 As we all know, this last statistic is really important for the future of agriculture in this country. Why? Because the vast majority of Americans no longer have farm backgrounds, they have no appreciation for food production. Food comes from the grocery store, right? They have little or no ties to the land. And truth be told, this great disconnect from the farm may even have helped bring about the demise of common sense….
- #6 Now, I want to broaden the conversation just a bit to talk about agribusiness. Agribusiness is more than simply agriculture – it’s taking raw agricultural products and adding value to them once or twice over. And, we are talking not just food production, but agricultural products that include fiber and forestry as well.
- #7 Agribusiness, then, in North Carolina is the largest industry by far. Travel and tourism is the second largest industry, and it falls somewhere in the $15-$20 billion range. Agribusiness also accounts for about 20 percent of all employment in North Carolina. Repeat after me: 69.6 billion dollars…
- #8 Now, let’s look at Wayne County. We are the third largest ag county in a predominantly agribusiness state. And, by the way, we are ranked 3rd in tobacco production. These rankings are true for us even though we have a population of well over 113,000 people. We are behind Duplin and Sampson counties, respectively. They have way more agriculture, but we also have way more people. And way more people means that we can get our coffee at Starbucks and still catch the sunrise over a green field of tobacco or corn. City folks can drive just a few miles to get to the country, and in reverse, country folks don’t have to leave the county to enjoy the amenities of a metropolitan area. We have, in effect, the best of both worlds. Repeat after me: 3rd largest agricultural county in the state.
- #9 This data is from a survey conducted regularly by N.C. State economist Mike Walden on behalf of the North Carolina Agribusiness Council. He computes the statewide numbers each year, and the county specific numbers every three years. These numbers are the most current, from 2008. Now, to give you a bit of perspective: the economic impact from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base for fiscal year 2008 was $520 million. We can’t make a direct comparison of these numbers because they are based in different years, but it gives you an idea of the size and scope of agribusiness in Wayne County. I believe it is a safe assumption to say agribusiness is Wayne County’s largest industry. I point this out because most people see these pretty fields of corn and tobacco in Wayne County and think, that’s nice. And then they read about developments on the base, or the latest industry announcement and say, wow, Wayne County’s really going somewhere. Well, we are. And agriculture and agribusiness are helping get us there. Agribusiness, manufacturing and the base together are the engines that drive Wayne County’s economy. We have to see agriculture as part of Wayne County’s future. I am so proud to call Wayne County home. I am proud of the base and the men and women who serve, and the jets they fly overhead. We need for this county to be just as proud – and supportive -- of its agricultural heritage and its contributions to the economy. Repeat after me: 667 million dollars.
- #10 Again, these are 2008 numbers. But the percentage mirrors state numbers. Employment here includes agribusiness companies like Mt. Olive Pickle, Flowers Baking, Georgia Pacific, Case Farms, Goldsboro Milling. Repeat after me: 20 percent of the county’s employment.
- #11 6 of 10 Top Manufacturers are Agribusiness Employment here includes agribusiness companies like Mt. Olive Pickle, Flowers Baking, Georgia Pacific, Case Farms, Goldsboro Milling. Repeat after me: 20 percent of the county’s employment.
- #12 This is a number that amazes me. The land in agricultural production accounts for nearly half of all the acreage in Wayne County.
- #14 We are talking pure agriculture here – gross farm income. In the course of almost three decades, we’ve seen farm income more than double. This is true even as farm acreage and the number of farms have declined. The pork and poultry industries have made all the difference here in Wayne County. Diversity is key here, and we’ve also gotten better and more efficient at what we do. Repeat after me: $388 million
- #15 So, income is up. But let’s look at acreage. In recent years, North Carolina has had the distinction of losing more farm acreage than any other state in the nation. North Carolina lost 600,000 acres of farm land just in five years’ time, from 2002 to 2007. Here in Wayne County, we’ve seen a pretty steady decline since the 1950’s. The decline comes as the population in Wayne County has steadily increased – we’ve grown by 28,0000 people in the last three decades. We’ve also seen a steady rise in our industrial and manufacturing base over the years, and the benefits of a roaring economy in the 1990’s.
- #16 The more dramatic number, though, is in the number of farms. In the 1950’s, tobacco was the cash crop, and a few acres of tobacco paid the bills and sent kids to college. Most farms were self-sufficient, and folks raised their own meat and grew enough in the garden to get them through the year. Back then 50 acres and a chicken house could reasonably support a family. That is not the case any more. Today, the average farm size here in Wayne County is 242 acres. And the reality is most farmers manage several different farms. Just like the rest of American business, farm operations have gotten larger to remain competitive and to take advantage of the economies of scale. They are more diversified, and the contract system provided by the poultry and swine industries have offered a measure of stability and even growth to farm incomes.
- #17 One of the biggest issues facing farmers in Wayne County is the need for more land to farm. Farmers find themselves competing against each other for land. Sixty-five percent of farmers surveyed recently indicated they did not own sufficient land to expand. And there’s also the external pressures of development. Many a tobacco field now grows houses and subdivisions and trailer parks. Road construction has also eaten up farm land, and where the roads go, so goes more development. As we’ve discussed earlier, farm operations on the whole are getting larger. They are more efficient, and they are more diverse. They have to be to remain profitable. But we are also seeing something new in Wayne County – small specialty farms with niche markets. These farms meet a specific market need. The Holly Grove Dairy Goat Farm is but one example. Another example of this is the Farm –to-Fork initiative in which small farmers may grow vegetable crops and market them directly to families.
- #19 Farming and Agribusiness is the #1 industry in the county bringing in $667 million dollars to our county’s economy each year. These are dollars that support other jobs and business including the retail and service industries. The non-farm community also feels that farming and agribusiness are important to our quality of life we experience. We hope that after you know the facts about Wayne County Agriculture, that you will be able to say that “You Dig It also”.