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Livestock production dominates — In 2007 livestock sales accounted for 86% of the market value of agricultural goods sold throughout the County. The remaining 14% was made up by crop sales (including greenhouse and nursery). Fruits and vegetables, including melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes, make up a very small portion of the agricultural economy, representing only $332,000 in sales market value .4 The top three commodities by sales value were poultry and eggs, cattle and calves, and nursery products, which include floriculture and nursery crops, as well as greenhouse fruits and vegetables. Grains; hogs and pigs; and milk and dairy products follow respectively.' Fruit and vegetable production is minimal —In 2007 24 Cabarrus farms harvested 86 acres of vegetables. While the number of farms growing vegetables increased by 100% between 2002 and 2007, fruit and vegetable production remains limited in both quantity and variety. For example, 70 of the 86 acres were devoted to sweet corn, pumpkins, tomatoes and watermelons .6 Twenty -four farms have land in orchards that totals 66 acres.' Cabarrus County has a strong agricultural heritage from which to build and strengthen its local food system. Issues to be explored The County's strength in livestock production provides a crucial foundation for economic growth and signals an opportunity to supply meat and meat products to the County and surrounding region. While produce production is minimal, the County's farms are beginning to diversify. This is evident by the increase in vegetable farms and acreage devoted to vegetable harvest, plus the opening of the Elma C. Lomax Incubator Farm. Diversity is needed to increase the supply of locally -grown produce avail- able for Cabarrus citizens. The County will need more produce farmers — either new farmers or farmers willing to make this transition — in order to strengthen its food system and provide fresh, healthy foods. 12 CENTER for ENVIRONMENTAL FARMING SYSTEMS FARMING POPULATION Aging farmer population — In 2002, there were 946 farmers in the County, working on 611 farms, with an average age of 57.9. In 2007, a total of 893 farmers worked in the County, and the average age of farmers was 57.4. Although it is encouraging to see that the average age of farmers lowered slightly over five years, Cabarrus County continues to face a challenge that is all too common across North Carolina: farmers are aging, and few young farmers are ready to take their place. With the average farmer over 55, the next 10 -15 years will be a time of transition as farms and their assets potentially come under new ownership — a change that could make Cabarrus farmland acutely vulnerable to development pressure.' Another concern is that the farming skills needed to manage farmland and grow and raise food will be lost. Many of these skills have been passed down through generations, and it will take time to develop new farmers. Farmers face financial pressures — The 2007 USDA Census reports that only 222, or 36%, of Cabarrus farm operators list farming as their primary occupation — a significant decrease from the 53% of Cabarrus farmers who reported the same in 2002. Compare the 2007 figure (36%) to the 46% of North Carolina farmers who reported farming as their primary occupation during the same year, and it is even more noteworthy." In 2007 46% of Cabarrus farmers worked more than 200 days off the farm, compared to 36% in 2002. Although our existing agricultural system is designed to incorporate mechanization and pesticide use to give farmers some freedom to work off farm, an increase in farmers working off -farm often points to an increased need for supplemental income from off -farm employment. Net farm income in Cabarrus increased by 26%, rising from $7.21 million to $9.07 million with average income per farm is Attachment number 1 Page 626 photo: Mike Linker