- In 2005, the economic impact of agriculture and agribusiness industries was $59 billion. These industries today contribute $111.1 billion dollars every year to North Carolina’s economy. This includes nearly $18 billion in growth since 2020. This reflects an 88.3% increase in economic impact since 2005. These economic figures are supported by the state’s top production rankings nationally, including being No. 1 in the production of sweet potatoes, tobacco, poultry and eggs, second in Christmas trees, turkeys and trout, third in hogs and cucumbers, fourth in peanuts and broilers, and fifth in cotton. North Carolina ranks in the Top 10 in more than 20 different commodities. (source Dr. Mike Walden, N.C. State University, NASS Statistics)
- Since 2005, North Carolina’s farm gate receipts have doubled. Cash receipts nearly $8.3 billion in 2005. In 2022, cash receipts were nearly $16.9 billion. (source NASS Statistics)
- In 2023, international agricultural exports contributed over $3.3 billion to the state’s economy, a 14.46% increase in exports. Top exports include meat and poultry, tobacco, lumber products, packaged foods, sweet potatoes and soybeans. Top five markets are China, Canada, South Korea, Mexico and Japan.
- The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund has also been a focus for more than a decade. Since 2006, the ADFP Trust Fund has preserved over 36,000 acres of farms and forests across the state through agricultural conservation easements. Since establishing the Eastern North Carolina Sentinel Landscape in July 2016, the ADFP Trust Fund has partnered with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy to record conservation easements. NCDA&CS and the military services provided funds for easement purchases and transactional costs to permanently protect working farms and forests in military training priority zones. Over 13,119 acres of conservation easements have been recorded through these military partnerships. The most recent grant cycle for the ADFP Trust Fund received the most applications and grant funding requests since establishing the trust fund in 2006. The division received 100 agricultural conservation easement applications, breaking the previous high of 58 agricultural conservation easement applications received in the previous grant cycle. Over $47 million in grant requests were received, more than double the total requests from last year.
- The “Got To Be NC” agricultural marketing program, started by Commissioner Troxler in 2005, has achieved national recognition. The campaign raises awareness of agricultural products grown, raised, caught or made right here in North Carolina. There are more than 2,500 companies currently part of the Got to Be NC program.
- Meat and poultry farmers raise animals, take them to a slaughter plant for processing and then sell the meat directly to consumers. With more control over the process as registered meat handlers, consumers can enjoy fresh, wholesome, local meats. In 2002 there was only one farmer registered as a meat handler. Currently, there are more than 1,900 registered meat handlers in North Carolina.
- Other initiatives under Commissioner Troxler’s leadership include Operation Brighter Day in Western NC, IMPEC Program assisting meat and seafood processors statewide impacted by Covid, Ag Disaster Relief following Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael in 2018, Tropical Storm Fred relief in 2021, 2016 wildfire response in western North Carolina, Hay Relief in 2008, and responses to high consequence animal diseases such as avian influenza. Commissioner Troxler also established an annual Ag Forum and Food Safety Taskforce that brings together farmers, government and industry to discuss emerging issues.
- In 2011, the General Assembly showed its confidence in Commissioner Troxler by transferring the North Carolina Forest Service, Soil and Water Conservation, Sleep Products and Grade A Milk Inspection to the Department of Agriculture
- Completion of the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center. The largest project ever undertaken by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, representing a long-term investment in the future of the state’s No. 1 industry – agriculture. The focus of the building’s work includes food safety, animal disease diagnosis, weights and measures calibration, motor fuel quality and training for pesticide and structural pest control industries. The General Assembly voted unanimously to name the 225,000 sq ft facility after Commissioner Troxler.
- Under Commissioner Troxler’s leadership, significant improvements and additional buildings have been added to the fairgrounds. These include the addition of several log buildings in Heritage Circle, a new forestry/soil and water building, the Martin Building used for public safety and expanded restrooms, additional park and ride lots and upgrades to infrastructure on the grounds. A new multi-use Midway Event Center is planned to replace the outdated, 70-year-old Lunch Stand Building. This facility will be part of a 3-to 4-year grounds improvement project that include additional renovations to the Flower Show and Holshouser Building. Since 2010 the N.C. State Fair has surpassed 1 million in attendance five times.
- After nine years of effort, Headwaters State Forest opened to the public in September 2018. The 6,730-acre conservation project is the result of a collaboration between the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, its N.C. Forest Service division and several other partners. The forest encompasses much of the headwaters of the East Fork of the French Broad River, with 20 waterfalls, more than 50 miles of high-quality trout streams, and rare Appalachian Mountain bogs. A healthy environment in the headwaters helps to provide clean drinking water for local communities. The French Broad River is a backup water source for both Asheville and Hendersonville, and an important potential source for future water supplies. Headwaters State Forest is a unique property in that it combines natural resource conservation objectives while providing recreation opportunities to the residents of North Carolina.
- Significant improvements made to DuPont State Recreational Forest, which covers more than 10,000 acres between Hendersonville and Brevard and is the most visited state forest in North Carolina. These include working with WNC Communities and Friends of Dupont to build the Aleen Steinburg Center, new visitor restroom facilities, additional trails throughout the park and the completion of the Hooker Falls pedestrian bridge and parking lot.
- Rebuilt aviation assets of N.C. Forest Service including two Huey helicopters both capable of lifting heavy loads and utilizing a 240-gallon bucket during fire suppression missions; two air tractor single engine air tankers capable of delivering 800 gallons each of fire suppressant; two T-34Cs used in fire suppression missions and part of the Air Mobile SEAT program; and a Kodiak 100 that is used as a load plane for Air Mobile SEAT Program.
- In 2014, restoring hemlocks in our state became a prime objective for Commissioner Troxler, prompting the formation of the Hemlock Restoration Initiative. This initiative is a partnership with WNC Communities, USDA-FS Forest Health Protection, N.C. Forest Service, local government, conservation groups and university researchers. The goal of the initiative is to minimize the damage caused by hemlock wooly adelgid and restore hemlocks to our southern Appalachian Mountain forests. Together, they identify and establish conservation areas, provide education and guidance to landowners and oversee the HWA integrated pest management program.
- Several infrastructure improvements have been made to the Western NC Ag Center including the construction of the Virginia C. Boone Mountain Heritage Building and the 27,750 sq ft Expo Building. Improvements also include roof replacement and renovations to the McGough Arena and upgrades to the Davis Events Center. Parking at the WNC Ag Center has also been expanded to better accommodate visitors to the Mountain State Fair.
- Successfully increasing food manufacturing and processing in the state through two significant grant programs he has overseen – NCAMPI or the N.C. Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative, and IMPEC, short for Increasing Meat Production and Capacity. By expanding capacity and capabilities, both initiatives are creating new valued-added opportunities for farmers, and they also strengthen the local food supply.
- $12.4 million in NCAMPI grants were recently awarded to expand operations of existing food businesses with the goal of increasing value-added goods and products manufactured in the state. The initial round of funding included projects for produce, meat and dairy products that will increase farmer opportunities, reduce costs to both the farmer and consumer, result in more jobs and leverage $63.4 million in private investment in North Carolina.
- On top of that, $44 million in IMPEC grants have been awarded through four phases to improve and expand capacity for small meat and seafood processors. Projects completed with these funds have opened up more processing slots for farmers who are marketing their own meat direct to consumers and need the animals processed in facilities under inspection.
- Commissioner Troxler cochaired the N.C. Food Manufacturing Task Force (2015-2016) and since the task force concluded its work, he has successfully brought action to ideas, including the creation of the Food Innovation Lab in Kannapolis in partnership with N.C. State University. The Food Innovation Lab is also focused on creating and attracting new food manufacturing opportunities to the state that can tap into the North Carolina’s vast agricultural resources.