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July 13, 1584 might easily be considered the birthday of North Carolina. On that day, Englishmen
first spied the shore they would call the Ògoodliest land under the cope of heaven.Ó
The commanders of the two small ships sent by Raleigh, Philip Amadus and Arthur Barlowe,
held a ceremony to claim the land in the name of Queen Elizabeth.
They found an inlet across the outer banks and dropped anchor in the sound that the Indians
called Roanoke. And thus began the long and prosperous recorded history of agriculture
in the United States.
In 1790, 93% of our countryÕs population was rural. Most would consider themselves
farmers.
Two hundred years later, barely 2% of our countryÕs population were farmers.
Though we face challenging economic times, by comparison our food is cheap and grocery
stores always have full shelves.
Thus many people take agricultural production for granted.
In 1935, a moderate-income farm family spent 47% of their total living on food.
Today, that number is closer to 10%.
In 1950 each farmer produced enough food for 27 other people. Today, that number is upwards
of 137.
Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable and among the worldÕs safest,
thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of AmericaÕs farm and ranch
families.
Today, 2.2 million farms dot AmericaÕs rural landscape. About 97% of US farms are operated
by families, individuals, family partnerships or family corporations.
Farm and ranch families comprise just 2% of AmericaÕs population.
North Carolina agriculture has grown from subsistence farming with very little extra
to trade or sell to a cash crop agriculture that is competitive in the world market.
North Carolina agriculture contributes over $74 billion annually to our stateÕs economy
and accounts for over 19% of the stateÕs income.
Agriculture employs over 20% of North CarolinaÕs workforce.
Camden County boasts over 47,000 acres of total farmland bringing in an income of $47,000,00.
The major commodities produced by Camden farmers are corn, soybeans, wheat and Irish potatoes.
Camden County ranks 5th in corn production and 7th in vegetable production in the state
of North Carolina.
Total farmland in Pasquotank count is nearly 80,000 acres.
Pasquotank farmers average over $45,000,00 of income.
The major commodities produced by Pasquotank County farmers include corn, soybean, wheat,
cotton, cabbage and Irish potatoes.
Pasquotank county ranks 8th in North Carolina in corn and soybean production and 10th in
wheat production.
There are 23,350 acres of total farmland in Currituck County. Those farms generate over
%20,000,000 of income.
Major commodities produced by Currituck County farmers are corn, soybeans and wheat and the
county ranks 10th in soybean production across the state.
We thank you farmers, farm families and agricultural workers and we recognize the vital role that
farming and agriculture play in ensuring an independent and prosperous nation. You are
what makes agriculture in the Albemarle so great.