Agriculture in North Carolina
ZIP codes in our North Carolina data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is one of North Carolina's largest industries, spanning highly productive livestock operations, row crops, and a strong nursery and greenhouse sector. The state's farms range from small mountain homesteads to large commercial poultry and hog operations in the coastal plain. For growers and gardeners, this diversity means a wide range of crops, long growing seasons in much of the state, and abundant local extension resources.
Farming in North Carolina
North Carolina is a national leader in poultry and hog production, and broilers, turkeys, and hogs together account for a large share of farm income. The state is the country's leading producer of flue-cured tobacco and sweet potatoes, and it grows substantial acreage of soybeans, corn, cotton, and peanuts. In the western mountains, Fraser fir Christmas trees are a signature crop, while nursery and greenhouse products remain important statewide. Farming character shifts by region, from mountain and Piedmont mixed farms to the large-scale row-crop and livestock operations of the flat coastal plain.
Climate and growing conditions
North Carolina has a mostly humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, though the mountains are noticeably cooler. The growing season is long across much of the state, running roughly from March or April into October in the Piedmont and coastal plain, and shorter at higher elevations in the west. USDA hardiness zones range from about 5b or 6 in the high mountains to 8a and 8b along the warmer southeastern coast.
Major agricultural products
- Broiler chickens
- Hogs and pigs
- Flue-cured tobacco
- Sweet potatoes
- Turkeys
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Christmas trees (Fraser fir)
Hardiness zones in North Carolina
Growers in North Carolina fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in North Carolina
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in North Carolina
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (100 counties):
Market prices & data for North Carolina
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.