The U.S. agricultural sector contributed less than 1% to the national GDP in the second quarter of 2018, the smallest share in recorded history. While the economic impact of the sector on a national scale is the smallest ever, it remains a major sector in some parts of the country, accounting for more than 5% of GDP and 10% of total employment.
U.S. agricultural production is largely concentrated in the Great Plains, which is characterized by expanses of flat, arable land. In many Great Plains states, the most important agricultural products — the crop or livestock with the largest total production values — are cattle, corn, and soybeans. Relative to their size of their economy, these states have the largest agriculture sectors in the country, with farm output per worker more than 10 times greater than in Northeastern states with smaller farm economies.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the total production value of approximately 170 agricultural commodities in 2017 using data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. We considered livestock and plants and excluded non-food agricultural products, such as cotton, tobacco, and hay.
Click here to see the most important agricultural product from each state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: shan213 / Flickr
1. Alabama: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $3.3 billion
> Total crop production: $5.6 billion (25th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 3.0% (25th largest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, corn, and peanuts
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Source: L T Hunter / Wikimedia Commons
2. Alaska: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $4.2 million
> Total crop production: $58.9 million (2nd smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 0.9% (the smallest)
> Other major crops: Potatoes, barley, and oats
Source: ChuckSchugPhotography / Getty Images
3. Arizona: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $584.6 million
> Total crop production: $3.7 billion (13th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.1% (19th smallest)
> Other major crops: Lettuce, spinach, and melons
Source: 46183897@N00 / Flickr
4. Arkansas: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $3.8 billion
> Total crop production: $9.8 billion (19th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 4.8% (14th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, rice, and cattle
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Source: ah_fotobox / Getty Images
5. California: Grapes
> Value of most important product: $5.8 billion
> Total crop production: $42.6 billion (15th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.5% (the largest)
> Other major crops: Almonds, grapes, and strawberries
Source: cgbaldauf / Getty Images
6. Colorado: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $2.0 billion
> Total crop production: $7.8 billion (25th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.8% (20th largest)
> Other major crops: Corn, potatoes, and sorghum
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Source: Helioscribe / Getty Images
7. Connecticut: Apples
> Value of most important product: $19.9 million
> Total crop production: $550.6 million (8th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.6% (5th smallest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, maple syrup, and apples
Source: 22748341@N00 / Flickr
8. Delaware: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $1.0 billion
> Total crop production: $1.3 billion (9th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.7% (12th smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn, soybeans, and melons
Source: MoJoStudio / Getty Images
9. Florida: Oranges
> Value of most important product: $1.0 billion
> Total crop production: $7.7 billion (17th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.3% (21st largest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, strawberries, and tomatoes
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Source: jason-riedy / Flickr
10. Georgia: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $4.4 billion
> Total crop production: $9.3 billion (16th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.2% (15th largest)
> Other major crops: Peanuts, cattle, and pecans
Source: lightfast / Getty Images
11. Hawaii: Macadamias
> Value of most important product: $53.9 million
> Total crop production: $661.3 million (22nd largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 3.7% (6th smallest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, coffee, and papayas
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Source: blmidaho / Flickr
12. Idaho: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $1.4 billion
> Total crop production: $7.8 billion (2nd largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 13.5% (19th largest)
> Other major crops: Potatoes, barley, and corn
Source: dszc / Getty Images
13. Illinois: Corn
> Value of most important product: $7.4 billion
> Total crop production: $17.2 billion (11th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.9% (7th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, cattle, and potatoes
Source: Purdue9394 / Getty Images
14. Indiana: Corn
> Value of most important product: $3.2 billion
> Total crop production: $11.2 billion (23rd smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.7% (10th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, cattle, and tomatoes
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Source: DarcyMaulsby / Getty Images
15. Iowa: Corn
> Value of most important product: $8.5 billion
> Total crop production: $30.8 billion (8th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 8.6% (2nd largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, cattle, and oats
Source: action74 / Getty Images
16. Kansas: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $4.5 billion
> Total crop production: $18.5 billion (10th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 6.4% (6th largest)
> Other major crops: Corn, soybeans, and sorghum
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Source: phattaraphum / Getty Images
17. Kentucky: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $1.0 billion
> Total crop production: $5.1 billion (9th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 6.4% (24th smallest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, corn, and cattle
Source: Judy Darby / Getty Images
18. Louisiana: Soybeans
> Value of most important product: $654.8 million
> Total crop production: $3.8 billion (19th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.4% (21st smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn, rice, and cattle
Source: briancweed / Getty Images
19. Maine: Potatoes
> Value of most important product: $155.0 million
> Total crop production: $763.1 million (18th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.0% (7th smallest)
> Other major crops: Maple Syrup, cattle, and apples
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Source: JZHunt / Getty Images
20. Maryland: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $1.0 billion
> Total crop production: $2.3 billion (6th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.2% (15th smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn, soybeans, and cattle
Source: KenWiedemann / Getty Images
21. Massachusetts: Cranberries
> Value of most important product: $59.7 million
> Total crop production: $492.2 million (3rd smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 0.9% (4th smallest)
> Other major crops: Apples and maple syrup
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Source: liveslow / Getty Images
22. Michigan: Corn
> Value of most important product: $1.0 billion
> Total crop production: $8.7 billion (23rd largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 3.6% (18th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, cattle, and apples
Source: Willard / Getty Images
23. Minnesota: Corn
> Value of most important product: $4.5 billion
> Total crop production: $21.3 billion (17th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.0% (5th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, cattle, and chickens
Source: keepphotos / Getty Images
24. Mississippi: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $2.6 billion
> Total crop production: $6.4 billion (16th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.2% (24th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, corn, and cattle
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Source: sharply_done / Getty Images
25. Missouri: Soybeans
> Value of most important product: $2.7 billion
> Total crop production: $9.2 billion (21st largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 3.8% (16th largest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, corn, and chickens
Source: cgbaldauf / Getty Images
26. Montana: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $1.3 billion
> Total crop production: $4.2 billion (6th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 9.6% (22nd smallest)
> Other major crops: Barley, lentils, and beans
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Source: PrairieArtProject / Getty Images
27. Nebraska: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $6.2 billion
> Total crop production: $23.1 billion (7th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 9.1% (4th largest)
> Other major crops: Corn, soybeans, and potatoes
Source: powerofforever / Getty Images
28. Nevada: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $243.2 million
> Total crop production: $764.1 million (4th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 0.9% (8th smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn
Source: KuntalSaha / Getty Images
29. New Hampshire: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $9.0 million
> Total crop production: $190.9 million (10th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.7% (3rd smallest)
> Other major crops: Maple Syrup
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Source: JEBarnhurst / Getty Images
30. New Jersey: Blueberries
> Value of most important product: $83.8 million
> Total crop production: $1.0 billion (5th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.2% (11th smallest)
> Other major crops: Peaches, corn, and soybeans
Source: PhilAugustavo / Getty Images
31. New Mexico: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $694.5 million
> Total crop production: $2.6 billion (13th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.7% (16th smallest)
> Other major crops: Pecans, peppers, and peppers
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Source: planetsheldon / Getty Images
32. New York: Apples
> Value of most important product: $343.1 million
> Total crop production: $5.4 billion (7th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 1.4% (25th smallest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, corn, and apples
Source: bobistraveling / Flickr
33. North Carolina: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $3.6 billion
> Total crop production: $12.6 billion (24th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 3.5% (8th largest)
> Other major crops: Soybeans, corn, and sweet potatoes
Source: sharply_done / Getty Images
34. North Dakota: Soybeans
> Value of most important product: $2.1 billion
> Total crop production: $11.0 billion (5th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 10.9% (11th largest)
> Other major crops: Corn, cattle, and canola
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Source: NRoberts / Getty Images
35. Ohio: Soybeans
> Value of most important product: $2.4 billion
> Total crop production: $10.1 billion (14th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.2% (13th largest)
> Other major crops: Corn, cattle, and chickens
Source: cstar55 / Getty Images
36. Oklahoma: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $2.9 billion
> Total crop production: $7.1 billion (14th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.6% (23rd largest)
> Other major crops: Chickens, soybeans, and corn
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Source: forestservicenw / Flickr
37. Oregon: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $695.3 million
> Total crop production: $4.9 billion (3rd largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 12.1% (23rd smallest)
> Other major crops: Pears, grapes, and potatoes
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Source: beklaus / Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $567.1 million
> Total crop production: $7.4 billion (12th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.1% (22nd largest)
> Other major crops: Chickens, corn, and soybeans
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39. Rhode Island: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $1.3 million
> Total crop production: $59.7 million (the smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 0.8% (2nd smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn
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Source: aerobed / Getty Images
40. South Carolina: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $978.6 million
> Total crop production: $3.0 billion (15th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.2% (17th smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn, soybeans, and cattle
Source: photosbyjim / Getty Images
41. South Dakota: Corn
> Value of most important product: $2.2 billion
> Total crop production: $10.2 billion (4th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 11.2% (12th largest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, soybeans, and sunflower
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Source: hollandphotos / Getty Images
42. Tennessee: Soybeans
> Value of most important product: $805.1 million
> Total crop production: $3.6 billion (22nd smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.7% (18th smallest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, chickens, and corn
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Source: typhoonski / Getty Images
43. Texas: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $7.4 billion
> Total crop production: $25.4 billion (20th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.5% (3rd largest)
> Other major crops: Chickens, corn, and sorghum
Source: Gary Gray / Getty Images
44. Utah: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $415.1 million
> Total crop production: $1.8 billion (21st smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.6% (14th smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn, cherries, and peaches
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Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
45. Vermont: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $62.7 million
> Total crop production: $776.1 million (12th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 5.8% (9th smallest)
> Other major crops: Maple Syrup and apples
Source: Jessica Reeder / Wikimedia Commons
46. Virginia: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $875.2 million
> Total crop production: $3.8 billion (18th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.4% (20th smallest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, soybeans, and corn
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Source: MrPants / Getty Images
47. Washington: Apples
> Value of most important product: $2.4 billion
> Total crop production: $9.1 billion (the largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 14.5% (17th largest)
> Other major crops: Potatoes, cattle, and hops
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Source: 119886413@N05 / Flickr
48. West Virginia: Chickens
> Value of most important product: $182.7 million
> Total crop production: $806.8 million (24th smallest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 2.7% (10th smallest)
> Other major crops: Cattle, corn, and apples
Source: norbiy / Getty Images
49. Wisconsin: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $1.7 billion
> Total crop production: $11.7 billion (20th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 4.7% (9th largest)
> Other major crops: Corn, soybeans, and potatoes
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Source: R_Litewriter / Getty Images
50. Wyoming: Cattle
> Value of most important product: $689.1 million
> Total crop production: $1.7 billion (11th largest)
> Pct. of workforce in agriculture: 6.3% (13th smallest)
> Other major crops: Corn, barley, and beans
Detailed Findings
In most states, the crop or livestock bringing in the most money is not unique to that state and is grown in large quantities throughout the country. In 30 states, for example, the most valuable agricultural product is either cattle or chickens.
Some states, however, have managed to cultivate as their main cash crop certain products not grown on a large scale in other parts of the country. Hawaii, for example, produced $53.9 million worth of macadamia nuts in 2017 — more than any other agricultural product in the state. The macadamia nut is native to Australia and was first introduced to Hawaii in 1882, where U.S. production remains concentrated today.
Other top crops unique to their state include Florida oranges, Massachusetts cranberries, New Jersey blueberries, Maine potatoes, and California grapes.
Methodology
To determine the most important agricultural product from each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the total production value of approximately 170 agricultural commodities in 2017 using data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. We considered livestock and plants and excluded non-food agricultural products, such as cotton, tobacco, and hay.
Data on the total value of all crops produced came from the USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture. Data on the size of the agricultural workforce in each state also came from the 2012 Census of Agriculture, and was adjusted for the size of the total workforce with data from the 2012 Economic Census. All data are for the most recent period available.
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