The southeastern region of NC is blessed with strong agricultural assets and an agricultural heritage that continues to help our rural areas thrive. Agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry cluster with $74 billion in production per year, and the biotechnology industry has an annual economic impact of $59 billion in North Carolina. Both sectors, and the collaboration between them are crucial to the state’s and this region’s future economic prosperity. With our agricultural foundation and advancements in agricultural biotechnology, our region is poised to see even greater economic growth and success with opportunities for expanding traditional agriculture and for adopting new technologies. I am committed to ensuring that Agribusiness is a strong and viable industry in our region for years to come.