Today, North Carolina's agriculture industry, including food, fiber, and forestry contributes around $76 billion to the state's economy. North Carolina is number one nationally in the production of tobacco and sweet potatoes and in 2017 had more than 50,200 farms.

Lawrence Davenport of Davenport and Son Farm is a fifth-generation farmer right here in Pitt County. Our group will enjoy a tour of the farm, see some of the equipment used, hear about the processes for planting and harvesting, and possibly even see the seed facility. After the tour, Mr. Davenport and Mitch Smith of the Pitt County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension will talk to you more about the history of farming, small family farms and the changes in farming today. You will also learn about the business side of farming, how it shapes eastern NC's economy, the major crops grown in eastern NC and the future of farming.