Iowa's status as a farm and agriculture powerhouse is known worldwide. See why!
1) Iowa Agriculture: A National Leader
Iowa’s farms rank #1 nationally, producing more corn, pigs, eggs, ethanol, and biodiesel than any other state in the country.
Iowa also ranks #1 nationally in several conservation practices used to protect soil and water quality, such as water quality wetlands, bioreactors, grassed waterways, filter strips, buffer strips, pollinator habitat and conservation tillage.
Additionally, Iowa ranks #2 in soybean and oat production, #4 in cattle on feed, #7 in turkeys, #9 in sheep and lambs, and #11 in milk production, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
More than 416,000 acres of wetlands have been restored thanks to Iowa’s farmers, and nearly 3.8 million acres of cover crops were planted in 2022 to protect Iowa’s soil and water. According to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture (2022), Iowa ranks second nationally in cover crop acres. Learn more at ConservationCountsIowa.com.
2) 2% of the U.S. Population Feeds All of Us Sustainably
Farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of the U.S. population.
Thanks to innovation, technology and diverse farms, one U.S. farm feeds (on average) 172 people annually, in the U.S. and abroad. That’s an increase of 59% since 1980.
While feeding more people, U.S. farmers are shrinking their environmental footprint. Since 1990, U.S. farmers have cut GHG emissions per meal provided by 25%.
3) Iowa's Family Farm Legacy
According to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture, Iowa has 86,911 farms and 157,531 farmers (an increase of more than 12,000 farmers from five years prior and 30,000 more than 20 years ago).
- More than 96% of Iowa's farms are family farms.
- 33% of Iowa farmers are women.
Iowa’s family farm legacy spans generations! Since Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship began honoring Iowa families who have owned their farms for more than 100 years (in 1976), more than 21,000 Iowa farms have received Century Farm designations (for farms owned by the same family for at least 100 years) and more than 1,800 farms have received Heritage Farm designations (for farms owned by the same family for at least 150 years).
4) Agriculture Employs Iowans
According to data from the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers' 2024 Iowa Agriculture Economic Contribution Study, one in five Iowans (19%) have jobs because of agriculture – totaling 385,332 jobs. 44% of those jobs result from animal agriculture/livestock farming.
Agriculture also contributes $159.5 billion to Iowa's economy (accounting for one-third of Iowa's total economic output), up 32% from five years ago!
To see agriculture’s impact on your local economy, visit the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers’ Iowa Ag Intel site.
5) Sustainable Livestock Farms
U.S. livestock farmers are providing more with less of an environmental impact – improving farm sustainability. Since 1990:
- U.S. farmers have grown pork production by 76%, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per pound of pork by 23%.
- U.S. farmers have grown beef production by 25%, while reducing GHG emissions per pound of beef by 17%.
- U.S. farmers have grown milk production by 53%, while reducing GHG emissions per gallon of milk by 26%.
Additionally, cattle play an important role in farm sustainability. Cattle have a unique ruminant digestive system that enables them to consume plant material that is inedible to humans – such as grasses, corn stalks, cottonseed hulls, ethanol byproducts and more. Their ability to “upcycle” these byproducts and graze land that isn’t suitable for other purposes (like growing crops) reduces waste and protects environmentally sensitive land.
6) Sustainable Crop Farms
U.S. crop farmers are growing more using fewer resources on fewer acres thanks to innovation and technology.
Thirty years ago, U.S. farmers would have needed 100 million more acres to match the amount of corn, soybeans and other crops farmers grow today.
7) Ethanol and Renewable Energy
Iowa ranks #1 nationally in ethanol and biodiesel, producing more than any other state in the country.
In 2022, the use of ethanol and biodiesel reduced GHG emissions by an amount equivalent to taking 30 million cars off the road.
8) Iowans Trust Farmers
According to the 2023 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®, conducted by The Harris Poll:
- 93% of Iowa grocery shoppers trust Iowa farmers
- 88% are confident that Iowa farmers are caring for their animals responsibly
- 81% are confident Iowa farmers care for the environment responsibly
9) Locally Grown
When making food purchases, 33% of Iowa grocery shoppers are looking for a “grown or raised by Iowa family farmers” label, and Iowa’s farmers are stepping up to meet that need!
In 2022, 2,427 Iowa farms sold agricultural products directly to consumers. The value of those sales increased by 51%, compared to 2017.
10) Iowa's Diverse Farms
Yes, Iowa’s farms lead the nation in corn, pigs and eggs, but there’s so much more! Look around and you’ll see that Iowa's farmers are growing and raising everything from flowers and mushrooms to goats and Scottish Highland cattle!
Some 200 farmers markets in Iowa provide shoppers with fresh, locally-grown produce and a variety of other products, ranging from eggs and meat to wine and cheese.
Iowa is also home to roughly 300 commercial vineyards and 100 licensed wineries.
Learn more about farming and your food!
- The Farm Fresh Blog introduces you to the people who provide your food, fuel and fiber and the issues they face.
- The Iowa Dish is an e-newsletter that will spark your curiosity about how our food is grown and raised.
- See how farmers embrace science and technology to protect our land and water at ConservationCountsIowa.com.
- Learn about the care livestock farmers take to ensure the health and comfort of their animals at IowaAnimalFarmCare.org.
- See how farmers provide us with meat, milk and eggs that meet our nutritional needs, while using sustainable practices and caring for their animals at RealFarmersRealFoodRealMeat.com.
- Learn how the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation is teaching students about the significance of farming and agriculture - in their lives and around the world.
Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau - agriculture's champion and defender
- Learn how Iowa Farm Bureau is working for the people, progress, and pride of Iowa. See how we've been doing it for more than 100 years!
- Find answers to your frequently asked questions.
- Discover the many exclusive benefits of an Iowa Farm Bureau membership!