"Why it’s so important to preserve our local farms and forests:

 

• Agriculture and agribusiness are NC's top industry, accounting for one-sixth of the state's economy and employees.

• Agriculture and agribusiness account for almost 16 percent, or $103.2 billion, of our $662 billion gross state product.

• Working lands provide fresh, local foods to NC residents and quality products to the agriculture, forestry, and fiber industries.

• Working lands provide scenic rural landscapes for tourism.

• Farms and forests are critical in providing a healthy environment.

• Farmers actively manage working lands, providing essential benefits like erosion control, carbon sequestration, and waterway buffers.

• Cost of community services studies in the state show that agricultural lands use fewer tax dollars than are collected.

• Working lands are a net provider of local tax dollars."

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Richard C. Reich, PhD

Field Specialist, ADFP