Of North Carolina’s 100 counties, Wilkes County ranks second in the production of poultry broilers, third in the production of beef cattle, fourth in all cattle and milk cows, sixth in the production of hay, and tenth in the production of poultry layers, making it the state’s seventh largest county in agriculture cash receipts totaling $287,429,836 (2019 data). The agricultural impact on the county is around $551 million, making up 36 percent of the county’s GDP and providing 22 percent of the county’s jobs. With an abundant water supply from both local rivers, the 421 Expressway, and a rich history of entrepreneurial growth, it is well positioned as an experienced agricultural producer and processor.