NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

CHAPTER 949

HOUSE BILL 819

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AREA SWINE SPECIALIST TO WORK IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the 10 county area including Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland is one of the major swine producing areas of the State with an annual income in 1973 of sixty-eight million dollars ($68,000,000) which represents twenty-four percent (24%) of the total income from swine in North Carolina;

Whereas, this area has the greatest potential for expansion of pork production of any area in North Carolina;

Whereas, the development of the feeder pig industry has contributed to the development of large specialized finishing units of this area;

Whereas, the feeder pig industry offers a great potential for increasing income on the small farms of the area;

Whereas, the marketing capability, essential for a growth industry such as producing pork for human consumption, is available in the area and continues to become more expanded and competitive;

Whereas, the topography and soil type are excellent for continued growth of the swine industry of this area;

Whereas, the human population density of this agricultural area is conducive to sound and stable growth of the pork industry;

Whereas, the resources needed to coordinate and give leadership to an orderly growth pattern to the pork industry across this area are in excess of resources presently available for these purposes to the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service; Now, therefore.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund of the State of North Carolina, in addition to all other appropriations, to the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service (N.C. Budget Code 18147) the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1975, and ending June 30, 1976, with this sum to become a part of the continuing or "Base Budget" of this State agency for the general purposes set forth in the preamble of this act.

Sec. 2.  The above-named agency shall handle and coordinate the administration and expenditure of all funds appropriated by this action and for the purposes herein designated shall be accounted for and reported to the fiscal and financial system of the agency to which the appropriation is made as herein set forth.

Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1975.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 26th day of June, 1975.