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- These 10 States Produce the Most Food in the U.S. (blog.cheapism.com)
From Farm to Fork: The Top 10 Food-Producing States in the US
Ever wonder which states contribute the most to your grocery haul? The US is an agricultural powerhouse, and a handful of states carry the weight of feeding the nation.
Using the latest USDA data on cash receipts for 2023 (the income farmers receive from commodity sales), we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 food-producing states. These states grow everything from the basics like corn and wheat to specialty crops like cranberries and almonds.
In 2023, these agricultural giants generated billions of dollars, with California leading the pack at nearly $60 billion.
Let’s take a look at the states behind America’s plates, along with some interesting facts about each.
- Wisconsin: America’s Dairyland
2023 Cash Receipts: $15.4 billion
Key Commodities: Dairy, corn, soybeans, cranberries, snap beans
Wisconsin produces a staggering 27% of the nation’s cheese, a whopping 3.5 billion pounds in 2023 alone! While cheese is a major player (with 117 plants and 1,200 cheesemakers), Wisconsin also produces corn, soybeans, cranberries, snap beans, and potatoes. Home to brands like Klondike Cheese Factory, Sargento’s Cheese, and Johnsonville Brats, Wisconsin offers a diverse agricultural landscape.
- North Carolina: A Southern Powerhouse
2023 Cash Receipts: $15.6 billion
Key Commodities: Hogs, broilers, turkeys, sweet potatoes
With over 8 million acres of farmland, North Carolina is a significant contributor to the nation’s food supply. Its rich soil and ample water resources create ideal conditions for agriculture. Hogs, poultry, and sweet potatoes are key commodities, with major brands like Smithfield Foods and Mount Olive Pickles calling North Carolina home.
- Indiana: More Than Just Corn
2023 Cash Receipts: $16.6 billion
Key Commodities: Corn, soybeans, duck, popcorn, eggs, dairy
Indiana planted over 91,000 acres of popcorn in 2023, and there’s even a bill to make it the official state snack! While corn and soybeans are dominant crops across Indiana’s 50,000+ farms, the state also produces duck, eggs, and dairy. Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn empire began here in 1952.
- Kansas: The Wheat State and Beyond
2023 Cash Receipts: $23.9 billion
Key Commodities: Cattle, wheat, corn, soybeans
Kansas produced enough wheat in 2023 (282 million bushels) to provide 36 loaves of bread for every person on Earth! While wheat remains a staple, livestock production actually surpasses crop production in value.
Cattle, corn, soybeans, and wheat fill the fields, but Kansas also has a growing specialty livestock market featuring alpacas, rabbits, and even Japanese cattle. Beekeeping is also on the rise, with 10,000 colonies producing nearly a million pounds of honey in 2022.
- Minnesota: Land of Lakes and Livestock
2023 Cash Receipts: $24.8 billion
Key Commodities: Corn, soybeans, hogs, dairy
Minnesota’s fertile soil and consistent rainfall make it ideal for both crops and livestock. It is one of the nation’s top pork producers and a major dairy producer, churning out over 10 billion pounds of milk annually.
The iconic Land O’Lakes butter brand was founded in St. Paul in 1921.
- Illinois: Crop King
2023 Cash Receipts: $26.4 billion
Key Commodities: Corn, soybeans, hogs
With more than 121,000 agricultural producers and nearly 90% of its land considered prime farmland, Illinois is a true agricultural powerhouse. The state rivals Iowa in corn and soybean production and also raises millions of hogs. Specialty crops like horseradish, ostriches, fish, and Christmas trees add to the state’s agricultural diversity.
- Texas: Everything’s Bigger, Including Agriculture
2023 Cash Receipts: $29 billion
Key Commodities: Cattle, cotton, dairy, poultry
Texas boasts 220,662 farms spread across 125 million acres. It leads the nation in cattle and cotton production (40% of the US supply) and is a significant dairy and poultry producer as well.
- Nebraska: Beef and Corn Paradise
2023 Cash Receipts: $31.2 billion
Key Commodities: Cattle, corn, soybeans, hogs
Cattle outnumber people in Nebraska by a ratio of 3 to 1! Nebraska is a major producer of beef and corn, with 6.8 million cattle roaming its plains. Thanks to the Ogallala Aquifer, the state ranks second only to Texas in beef production.
- Iowa: Corn and Hogs Reign Supreme
2023 Cash Receipts: $38.7 billion
Key Commodities: Corn, hogs, soybeans, eggs
With 90% of its land dedicated to agriculture, Iowa is a leader in corn and pork production. The state’s 24 million hogs could provide each resident with eight pigs! Iowa also leads the nation in egg production.
- California: The Undisputed Champion
2023 Cash Receipts: $59.3 billion
Key Commodities: Dairy, almonds, grapes, cattle, strawberries
California is the undisputed leader in US agricultural production. The state grows 99% of the nation’s almonds and boasts a diverse agricultural portfolio thanks to its year-round growing climate. From dairy and almonds to grapes and strawberries, California truly has it all.
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- These 10 States Produce the Most Food in the U.S. (blog.cheapism.com)