HOG FARMING IN NORTH CAROLINA Meredith Robbins, Bryce Koukopoulos, Emily Madara, Shepard Daniel Abstract There is an increasing market in North Carolina for pork produced on small-scale, independently owned hog farms. The problem is that this pork is not being made available to a wide enough public. We hypothesize that the majority of independently owned, pork-producing farms that work with NC Choices are located in more affluent, predominately white communities and counties. Therefore, the majority of pork produced on these farms is only available to citizens of higher socio-economic classes. Using GIS mapping methods, we analyze data from independently owned hog farms associated with NC Choices as well as demographic indicators by county. Our findings confirmed our hypothesis that the majority of these small-scale, independently owned, hog farms are located in a closer proximity to wealthier communities with fewer minorities. Abstract There is an increasing market in North Carolina for pork produced on small-scale, independently owned hog farms. The problem is that this pork is not being made available to a wide enough public. We hypothesize that the majority of independently owned, pork-producing farms that work with NC Choices are located in more affluent, predominately white communities and counties. Therefore, the majority of pork produced on these farms is only available to citizens of higher socio-economic classes. Using GIS mapping methods, we analyze data from independently owned hog farms associated with NC Choices as well as demographic indicators by county. Our findings confirmed our hypothesis that the majority of these small-scale, independently owned, hog farms are located in a closer proximity to wealthier communities with fewer minorities. Sustainable Hog Production The industrial hog farms that dominate Eastern North Carolina are the main sources of pork for many people within our state and nationwide (Furuseth, 1997). Industrial pork is produced at great social and environmental costs to the poor, rural communities where the majority of the industrial operations are located (Hogberg, et. al, 2005). Sustainable hog production systems, on the other hand, combine production and management techniques to enhance profit without jeopardizing the ecological and socioeconomic surroundings (Honeyman, 1996). The market for this independently produced pork is growing. The problem, however, is that sustainable pork is not distributed over long distances, and therefore citizens’ access to this market is limited to certain areas within the state. To research this problem, we examine income and social demographic data surrounding independently owned farms associated with NC Choices, an organization that supports small-scale hog farms and promotes sustainable, local food systems to enhance the economic, environmental, and nutritional health of North Carolina. Sustainable Hog Production The industrial hog farms that dominate Eastern North Carolina are the main sources of pork for many people within our state and nationwide (Furuseth, 1997). Industrial pork is produced at great social and environmental costs to the poor, rural communities where the majority of the industrial operations are located (Hogberg, et. al, 2005). Sustainable hog production systems, on the other hand, combine production and management techniques to enhance profit without jeopardizing the ecological and socioeconomic surroundings (Honeyman, 1996). The market for this independently produced pork is growing. The problem, however, is that sustainable pork is not distributed over long distances, and therefore citizens’ access to this market is limited to certain areas within the state. To research this problem, we examine income and social demographic data surrounding independently owned farms associated with NC Choices, an organization that supports small-scale hog farms and promotes sustainable, local food systems to enhance the economic, environmental, and nutritional health of North Carolina. Correlation: Median Income and Location of NC Choices Hog Farms Bailey E. Newton of Triple B Farms, a small family farm in Granville County, North Carolina Typical conditions of pigs raised in industrial operations (Andrew Sullivan, theatlantic.com) References : Furuseth, Owen J. (1997) ‘Restructuring of Hog Farming in North Carolina: Explosion and Implosion,’ The Professional Geographer, Vol. 49 Issue 4, pp Hogberg, M. G.; S. L. Fales, F. L. Kirschenmann, M. S. Honeyman, J. A. Miranowski and P. Lasley (2005) ‘Interrelationships of animal agriculture, the environment, and rural communities,’ Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 83, pp. E13-E17. Honeyman, M. S. (2005) ‘Sustainability issues of U.S. Swine Production,’ Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 74 Issue 6, pp NC Boundaries – County (1: 100,00). BasinPro Version 8.0 [shape file]. North Carolina: USGS, Census Block Groups. ESRI Data & Maps [shape file]. North Carolina: GDT, Methods The following methods were employed in this study: We used the addresses of every NC Choices hog farm to geocode their locations within a map of North Carolina We contacted each farm to obtain a brief personal description of farming practices We used census data and a county shape file to create a choropleth map of various demographic indicators including median income, and percentage of minorities for each census block group in North Carolina We compared the choropleth demographics map with the choropleth median income map to visually determine possible trends between location of independently owned farms, affluent areas, and minority populations of North Carolina Methods The following methods were employed in this study: We used the addresses of every NC Choices hog farm to geocode their locations within a map of North Carolina We contacted each farm to obtain a brief personal description of farming practices We used census data and a county shape file to create a choropleth map of various demographic indicators including median income, and percentage of minorities for each census block group in North Carolina We compared the choropleth demographics map with the choropleth median income map to visually determine possible trends between location of independently owned farms, affluent areas, and minority populations of North Carolina Implications and Findings All but three of the NC Choices hog farms were located in census blocks that have a generally higher median income and lower minority population. These findings suggest that regions with lower median incomes and higher minority populations have less access to locally produced pork. The three hog farms which were not located in wealthier counties were in eastern North Carolina. Implications and Findings All but three of the NC Choices hog farms were located in census blocks that have a generally higher median income and lower minority population. These findings suggest that regions with lower median incomes and higher minority populations have less access to locally produced pork. The three hog farms which were not located in wealthier counties were in eastern North Carolina. LEGEND NC Choices Hog Farms NC Choices Hog Farms in North Carolina Median Income by Census Block Groups in North Carolina Percentage of Minorities by Census Block Groups in North Carolina NC Choices “Buying from NC Choices farmers helps fortify the future of their farms, strengthens our rural economy and preserves critical open space. It also gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your food was produced safely, without the use of antibiotics and with high regard for our environment. The animals are free to roam, run and root – in other words, be pigs.” (from NC Choices “Buying from NC Choices farmers helps fortify the future of their farms, strengthens our rural economy and preserves critical open space. It also gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your food was produced safely, without the use of antibiotics and with high regard for our environment. The animals are free to roam, run and root – in other words, be pigs.” (from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Geography GEOG 370 Section 006 Spring 2008