|
|
A Fading Profession. Hog factories have made
it increasingly difficult for small, independent
farmers, such as this one, to make a living.
News & Observer photo by Robert Willett.
|
|
In North Carolina, factory-size farms have become the norm. About 9 out of every 10 hogs in the state are raised on factory farms. What's more, North
Carolina leads the nation in mega-factories housing more than 5,000 hogs. North Carolina has 480 of these mega-factories, over twice as many as any other state.
|
In the last 15 years, North Carolina has lost thousands of hog farms...
...and those that remain have gotten bigger and bigger.
Source: North Carolina Department of Agriculture
|
|
Sadly, many small independent farms have been forced out of business. North Carolina has lost more than 50% of its smaller family hog farms in the last 15 years. Small hog farmers are
simply unable to compete with the market clout of mega-industry. The message? Get big or get out.
|
