Living High on the Hog: NC State Strengthens North Carolina Swine

The work day is not over when James Lamb clocks out from his job as an environmental specialist with Prestage Farms. Instead of going home, it’s time to head over to his hog farm in Sampson County.

He checks on the pigs in his two barns, ensuring they have plenty of feed and water, inspects the lagoon, and examines the spray field that fertilizes his five acres of crops. He reviews transportation schedules to see when animals will be coming and going.

These tasks, though, do not feel like work.

“This is my refuge,” he said. “When I’m off the clock and I come down here it’s usually just me and the pigs, my dogs, and nature. The farm is my favorite place to be. It doesn’t feel like work. It’s like when you’re a kid and you can’t wait to get out of school ’cause you’re going to change clothes and go out to play.”

Part of the good feeling comes from knowing he is helping feed the state, the country, and the world.

Feeding Communities and Economies
Pork is North Carolina’s second largest agricultural commodity, with a $10 billion economic impact. 

“It’s a major source of employment and income,” said Kelly Zering, NC State Extension specialist in agricultural and economic resources. “Not just for farmers, but the processing plants, the places that are cooking ham and bacon, packaging products and shipping them. It supports businesses that aren’t necessarily on the farm or in the community. The genetics businesses, the pharmaceutical businesses, engineering, materials and trucking, moving the products out of state.”