Aerial photo of Lumberton farm, taken July 19, 1977
Since this aerial shot was taken of a Lumberton area farm on July 19, 1977, North Carolina’s farming landscape has changed drastically. Here are a few facts from the 2007 Census of Agriculture that demonstrate why farmland preservation is one of Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler’s top priorities:
- Total farm numbers in 2007, including small and limited resource farms, was 52,900, compared with 53,900 counted in the 2002 census. A further decline was seen in the 2008 annual Farm Numbers report, showing about 52,500 farms.
- Land in farms totaled 8.5 million acres in 2007, down 7%, or about 600,000 acres, since 2002. This is equivalent to losing all of Sampson County, the second largest county in terms of land area in the State.
- There were fewer farms growing field crops in 2007 compared with 2002. Tobacco farms are down nearly 70% and totaled just over 2,600, compared with nearly 8,000 in 2002. Cotton farms dropped nearly 40% totaling about 1,300, compared with 2,100 in 2002.
- The average age of principal farm operators in North Carolina is 57, compared with 56 in 2002.
Women now account for 13% of all farm operators, up 3% from 2002.
- Family farms account for 97% of all farms. About 85% are classified as small family farms.