This project was a collaboration between the NC State Extension Local Food Program, NC FarmLink, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS).
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North Carolina’s agricultural industry, including food, fiber and forestry, contributes $111.1 billion to the state’s economy, accounts for more than 16 percent of the state’s income, and employs 16 percent of the workforce.1 Statewide market value of agriculture products as reported by USDA 2022 Agriculture Census is $18,692,574,000.
North Carolina is one of the most diversified agriculture states in the nation. The state’s 42,817 farmers grow over 80 different commodities, utilizing 8.1 million of the state’s 31 million acres to furnish consumers a dependable and affordable supply of food and fiber. The state ranks eighth nationally in Total Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold.2 Net income per farm in the state is over $147,411.3
This Local Food and Farms infographic is designed for economic developers, planners, local food advocates, and community members to understand the impact of their county and region to the overall NC agricultural economic impact. The economic indicators provided here can help local governments as they design ways to support agricultural businesses as key components of vibrant and resilient, local, and rural economies. Each region in North Carolina presents a unique set of opportunities for sustainable economic growth and entrepreneurship. To help start the conversation, we created discussion points for Farms and Food Profiles.
Consider one example: When school systems purchase food from local farmers, students benefit from access to healthy fresh produce, farmers benefit from sales into local schools, and the community benefits because these local sales are spent at other local businesses. This type of local business opportunity keeps farms in production, maintaining North Carolina’s agricultural asset base both in terms of land and farming know-how. And it keeps dollars spent on food circulating among other local businesses.
1 Agriculture and Agribusiness: North Carolina's Number One Industry
2USDA North Carolina State Profile
3 USDA State Summary HighlightsSupporting Resources
- Data Sources & Definitions for Local Profiles: A list of data items, what they mean, and where to locate them within the Ag Census data.
- Discussion Points for Local Profiles: Ideas for where and how to share the information from these local profiles. Be creative!
- Bringing it Home: Using USDA Ag Census Data at the County Level (October 2025 Recorded Webinar): This webinar reviews how to access and interpret Agriculture Census Data.
- Economic Contribution of North Carolina Agriculture and Agribusiness: See page 13 for dollar and jobs multipliers for selected farm sectors.
- Forestry Economic Impact: Extension Forestry compiles industry economic impact data in county-based fact sheets.
Council of Government Regional Profiles
There are 16 regional Council of Governments (CoGs) across North Carolina. The map below shows their distribution. You can find more information about each Cog through the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils of Governments.
| Council of Government | Year |
| Albemarle | 2022 |
| Cape Fear | 2022 |
| Central Pines (formally Triangle J) | 2022 |
| Centralina | 2022 |
| Eastern Carolina | 2022 |
| Foothills | 2022 |
| High Country | 2022 |
| Kerr-Tar | 2022 |
| Land-Of-Sky | 2022 |
| Lumber River | 2022 |
| Mid-Carolina | 2022 |
| Mid-East | 2022 |
| Piedmont Triad | 2022 |
| Southwestern | 2022 |
| Upper Coastal Plain | 2022 |
| Western Piedmont | 2022 |
