North Carolina

North Carolina is the 2nd largest turkey producer and the 3rd largest poultry producer in the country, with poultry accounting for $39.76 billion of the states annual agricultural income and making up 41.8% of North Carolina's total farm income. Poultry is the leading agricultural industry in the state and there are over 5,700 family-owned poultry farms currently in operation.

Overall, the state has 45,100 active farms and 8.3 million farming acres. Cattle production pales in comparison to the state's poultry industry, however the state still raises 785,000 cattle on around 947,000 acres of permanent pasture and rangeland each year. The state also produces other livestock such as goats, sheep, and hogs, with hogs being the states third largest livestock industry behind turkeys and chickens.

The agricultural landscape in North Carolina appears to be thriving, however there have been 7,813 farm closures since 2007 and with any large, competitive industry, it is important to consider the impact that mass production has on quality. For the state to keep up with poultry production, many of the farms have implemented close-quarter, modern, and industrialized farming practices to meet demand, boost production, and increase profits. Sourcing nutrition from local, regenerative farms ensures that the livestock are raised ethically in an environment that mimics nature and allows for the natural feeding cycles of the animals. This method produces the highest quality livestock production money can buy and keeps the smaller, family owned farms from being driven out by their larger competitors.