Why the North Carolina Ag Partnership Foundation Matters

Our Mission to Support Farmers, Educate the Next Generation, and Share the Truth About Agriculture

North Carolina’s agriculture industry isn’t just a piece of our heritage—it is the backbone of our economy and our communities. It contributes more than $100 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports roughly one in every six jobs, touching the lives of more than 700,000 North Carolinians. From sweetpotato fields to the hog and poultry operations that rank among the nation’s top producers, agriculture feeds families, powers rural economies, and sustains the systems that keep our state thriving. Yet today, farmers face a perfect storm: production costs up 65% since 2021, unpredictable weather, labor shortages, rising regulatory pressures, and a public that too often misunderstands the realities of modern farming.

That is exactly why the North Carolina Ag Partnership Foundation exists.

We are a nonprofit dedicated to three interconnected pillars: education, farmer support, and sharing the truth about agriculture. Our mission is straightforward but urgent—to equip the next generation with real-world knowledge of agricultural careers, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women who feed and clothe us, and to cut through misinformation so that public understanding can support a resilient, thriving ag sector. The NC Ag Partnership Foundation is inspiring appreciation, understanding, and active support for NC Agriculture.

Why Education Is Non-Negotiable

Too many young people in North Carolina have never set foot on a working farm or considered a career in agribusiness, even though the industry offers stable, well-paying opportunities across science, technology, engineering, business, and skilled trades. Our focus on workforce development—through focus groups with university and community college students, career-readiness research, and targeted educational programs—helps close that gap. We want every North Carolinian to see agriculture not as a relic of the past, but as a dynamic, innovative field where they can build a future.

Supporting the Farmers Who Feed Us

Farmers are entrepreneurs, stewards of the land, and the heart of rural North Carolina. Many operate on thin margins while battling everything from drought to trade disruptions. The Foundation works to inspire respect and appreciation for the noble profession of farming through strengthening the systems that allow these agricultural communities and businesses to thrive. We believe strong farms mean strong families, strong towns, and a stronger state.

Sharing the Truth About Agriculture

Misconceptions about farming, from how food is grown to the regulations that shape daily operations, can lead to policies that unintentionally harm the very people producing our food. Our mission is about transparency and facts. We share data-driven stories, highlight the economic and environmental realities of modern agriculture, and foster honest conversations between farmers, consumers, policymakers, and business leaders. When the public understands the challenges and contributions of agriculture, we all win.

North Carolina cannot afford to take its number-one industry for granted. As development pressures threaten prime farmland and an aging farmer population looks toward succession, proactive education, targeted support, and truthful advocacy have never been more critical.

Join the NC Ag Partnership in striving toward a North Carolina inspired by the deep roots and cultural heritage of agriculture, where farmers continue to succeed, and rural communities prosper. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for agriculture economic data, history, and facts surrounding NC agriculture, and real stories from the field.