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U.S. States by Farmland Share (50 States)

U.S. States by Farmland Share (50 States)

Agriculture & Food, U.S. StatesOctober 2, 2026

The central United States features vast expanses of flat, fertile soil, prominent grain silos, and widespread agricultural machinery. The United States Department of Agriculture systematically monitors the extent of actively farmed land and provides comprehensive land-use data. Recent farmland data for each state confirm that the central region, extending from Nebraska through Texas and into Illinois, produces a substantial share of the nation’s food supply. Farms collectively occupy approximately 876 million acres in the United States, representing about 39 percent of the total land area. Nearly two out of every five acres nationwide, from Alaska to Florida, are utilized as working farms or ranches.

This report examines the top 19 states by the percentage of land dedicated to farming, as illustrated in the accompanying infographic. Each state is analyzed in detail, with explanations of the relevant data and additional context that goes beyond standard datasets. The findings indicate a consistent pattern: agriculture is a defining characteristic of the Great Plains and the Corn Belt. This overview clarifies the geographic distribution and significance of American farming.

Interpreting the Infographic Accurately

Before presenting the rankings, it helps to clarify the infographic’s information. The percentage for each state represents the proportion of total land area classified as farmland, including cropland, pasture, rangeland, and woodland associated with working farms or ranches. This metric does not indicate food production volume or the number of farms. As a result, a state may have a high percentage of farmland but generate less agricultural revenue than a smaller state specializing in high-value crops such as almonds or wine grapes.

The data are sourced from the Census of Agriculture, conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture every five years, and are supplemented by recent farmland mapping updates. The most recent census, completed in 2022, reported a nationwide decrease in farmland of approximately 2.2 percent compared to the previous five-year period. This gradual decline has continued since the 1980s. Accordingly, the current ranking reflects a continually evolving landscape that generally contracts as urban areas expand and farmland is converted to other uses.

Nebraska: The Leading State in Farmland Percentage

Nebraska leads the nation in farmland percentage, with nearly 90 percent (89.5 percent) of its land classified as farmland, the highest proportion among all states. This is notable given the presence of urban areas, transportation infrastructure, rivers, and the Sandhills, one of the largest dune systems in the Western Hemisphere. Corn and soybeans are predominantly cultivated in the eastern region, while cattle ranching is prevalent in the drier western areas, where grazing is more feasible than crop production. The state’s location above the Ogallala Aquifer, a significant underground water resource, enables extensive irrigation of otherwise arid land. Nebraska is distinguished by its balanced approach to crop and livestock production, with approximately three-quarters of farms and ranches engaged in raising livestock. This integrated agricultural system underscores Nebraska’s unique position within the national farming landscape.

Cattle and calves generate about 41.6 percent of Nebraska’s total agricultural sales, making livestock the state’s real economic engine.
Corn ranks second on the sales chart, bringing in nearly 32 percent of the state’s total farm revenue.
Nebraska’s total value of agricultural products sold reached 32.1 billion dollars in 2024.
Soybeans rank third in Nebraska sales at about 12 percent, with hogs and poultry rounding out the top five.
The state’s leading commodities in order of value are cattle, corn, soybeans, hogs, chicken eggs, broilers, hay, dairy, and wheat.
Nebraska’s top agricultural exports include beef and veal, corn, soybeans, and feed and grain products.
Livestock accounts for 63 percent of Nebraska’s total production value, while crops make up the remaining 37 percent.
Nebraska ranked second in the nation for ethanol production in 2025.
Roughly 8 million of Nebraska’s 17 million acres of cropland are irrigated using groundwater and surface water.
Nebraska ranks in the top three nationally for corn, sorghum, and pinto bean production.

North Dakota: Wheat, Canola, and Expansive Prairie

North Dakota ranks second nationally, with 87.2 percent of its land dedicated to agriculture. The state is recognized for its wheat production, as well as significant cultivation of canola, soybeans, and sunflowers, which contribute to the region’s distinctive summer landscape. Farmland occupies a substantially larger area than forests or wetlands, a result of glacial activity that created flat, fertile soils ideal for agriculture. North Dakota is also a leading honey producer, with beekeepers taking advantage of the abundant flowering canola and alfalfa fields each summer. Despite a population of fewer than 800,000, the state maintains extensive agricultural operations. While recent economic developments in the Bakken oil formation have drawn attention, agriculture remains the foundation of North Dakota’s economy and cultural identity.

North Dakota is the nation’s number one canola producer, growing 81 percent of the U.S. supply.
The state also leads the country in flaxseed production, accounting for 86 percent of the national total.
North Dakota produces 27 percent of America’s honey, more than any other state.
Soybeans are actually the top cash crop by dollar value, bringing in over 2.6 billion dollars in receipts.
Wheat ranks second in cash receipts, worth roughly 2.46 billion dollars and representing about 21 percent of the state’s total.
North Dakota ranks first nationally in durum wheat, growing 64 percent of the U.S. crop.
The state is the top producer of pinto beans, supplying 71 percent of the national harvest.
North Dakota also ranks first in spring wheat production, at 57 percent of the U.S. total.
Cattle and calves still make up over 12 percent of the state’s agricultural cash receipts.
North Dakota ranks first nationally in sunflower production across all categories.

South Dakota: Distinct Eastern and Western Agricultural Regions

Like its northern counterpart, South Dakota has 87.2 percent of its land classified as farmland. The state has two distinct agricultural regions: the eastern portion, which resembles Iowa or Minnesota, with fertile black soil that supports corn and soybean cultivation, and the western region, which is drier and better suited to cattle grazing. This geographic division underpins South Dakota’s reliance on both livestock, particularly cattle, and grain production. The contrast between green cropland and tan rangeland is visually apparent, reflecting the coexistence of two distinct agricultural cultures within the state.

Cattle and calves remain South Dakota’s single largest agricultural commodity by value.
Corn and soybeans dominate the fertile eastern half of the state near the Iowa and Minnesota borders.
Farmers grow both winter and spring wheat varieties across South Dakota’s plains.
Sunflowers thrive in South Dakota, feeding both the cooking oil and birdseed markets.
Large cow-calf and cattle-feeding operations concentrate on the rangeland west of the Missouri River.
South Dakota ranks among the nation’s top states for honey production.
Sorghum and oats add further diversity to South Dakota’s crop rotation.
Hogs remain a meaningful part of the state’s livestock economy alongside cattle and sheep.
Alfalfa and other hay crops support the state’s extensive cattle-feeding industry. South Dakota’s farmland demonstrates a broader climatic gradient, with wetter conditions in the east and drier conditions in the west influencing crop selection.

Kansas: The Wheat State’s Agricultural Profile

Kansas ranks fourth nationally, with 85.6 percent of its land utilized for farming, a statistic that supports its designation as “the Wheat State.” Kansas leads the nation in wheat production, with extensive fields visible during harvest season. In addition to wheat, the state supports substantial cattle operations, particularly in the western region near cities such as Garden City and Dodge City, where large feedlots are prevalent. The Flint Hills in eastern Kansas preserve some of the last remaining tallgrass prairie in North America, land that is unsuitable for cultivation but ideal for cattle grazing. Kansas blends traditional ranching practices with advanced grain storage and feedlot infrastructure, reinforcing its reputation as a central contributor to the nation’s agricultural output.

Kansas’s top agricultural products include cattle and calves, corn, wheat, soybeans, and sorghum.
The state produced over 307 million bushels of wheat worth nearly 1.7 billion dollars in a recent year.
Kansas ranked number one in grain sorghum production, growing 55 percent of the entire U.S. crop in 2017.
Corn production in Kansas totaled nearly 750 million bushels, generating more than $ 3.2 billion.
Kansas farms and ranches sold almost 8 million cattle and calves, more than 11 percent of the U.S. total.
Soybean production reached 155 million bushels, worth nearly $ 1.5 billion.
Kansas ranked fourth nationally in sunflower production with 74 million pounds harvested.
Cotton production in the state has nearly tripled over five years, reaching 201,000 bales.
Kansas raises more than 5 million hogs annually.
The state’s hay and forage production topped 4.3 million tons in a single year.

Iowa: Corn, Soybeans, and High Agricultural Productivity

Iowa ranks fifth, with 83.9 percent of its land designated as farmland, a figure that closely aligns with its substantial economic contribution to U.S. agriculture. The state consistently ranks first or second nationally in both corn and soybean production, supported by exceptionally fertile soils. Unlike some neighboring states, Iowa’s farmland is mostly devoted to row crops rather than rangeland because of favorable terrain and precipitation patterns. Iowa also leads the nation in pork production, with numerous hog farms integrated into the agricultural landscape. The state’s extensive, highly productive farmland remains valuable despite urban centers such as Des Moines.

Iowa ranks first in the nation in corn production and second in soybean production.
Iowa farmers harvested 12.7 million acres of corn in 2024, producing 2.28 billion bushels.
The state ranks first in total grain storage capacity, holding an incredible 3.6 billion bushels.
About 57 percent of Iowa’s corn crop gets processed into ethanol.
Iowa leads the nation in hog, egg, and commercial red meat production.
Corn brings in over 9 billion dollars in annual cash receipts, the state’s single largest commodity.
Iowa raises more than 49 million hogs each year, making it the country’s top pork producer.
The state produces about 14.3 billion eggs annually, leading the nation in egg output.
Agriculture contributes roughly $ 88 billion a year to Iowa’s overall economy.
Approximately 85 percent of all land in Iowa is utilized for some form of agriculture.

Oklahoma: Wheat, Cattle, and Extensive Grazing Land

Oklahoma ranks sixth, with 74.9 percent of its land used for farms and ranches. The state is historically associated with the Dust Bowl of the 1930s; however, contemporary Oklahoma agriculture features a productive mix of winter wheat, cattle ranching, and wind energy projects alongside traditional crops. Western Oklahoma resembles the Texas Panhandle, with wide, flat grazing land supporting large cattle herds. The eastern region receives more rainfall and supports more diverse farming, including poultry operations that supply chicken nationwide. Oklahoma’s recovery from one of the most severe agricultural disasters in U.S. history highlights its resilience and renewed agricultural strength. Dust storms are now rare, reflecting significant land restoration efforts.

Oklahoma ranks second in the nation for the number of beef cows, and cattle actually outnumber people in the state.
The state ranks second nationally in winter wheat production and first in rye production.
Oklahoma harvested more than 68 million bushels of winter wheat in 2023 alone.
Pork is Oklahoma’s second-largest agricultural enterprise behind beef cattle.
Oklahoma exported nearly 350 million dollars in beef and veal in a single recent year.
The state ranks fifth nationally in pecan and canola production.
Oklahoma farmers harvest roughly 18 million pounds of pecans each year.
Cotton, hay, sorghum, and peanuts round out the state’s other major crops.
Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for grain sorghum, producing over 20 million bushels annually.
Poultry operations in eastern Oklahoma support around 30,000 jobs across the state.

Texas: Sheer Size Meets Serious Ranching

Texas ranks seventh, with 74.8 percent of its land classified as farmland, a figure that translates into a substantial acreage due to the state’s large geographic size. Texas leads the nation in cattle production, with ranches distributed throughout the Panhandle, Hill Country, and West Texas. Cotton is also a major crop, particularly in the Lubbock area. The state spans multiple climate zones, from humid coastal plains to arid deserts, creating considerable agricultural diversity. Texas is notable for its significant contributions to both cattle and cotton production, reflecting the scale and variety of its agricultural sector.

Texas ranks first in the nation in cattle and calves, accounting for about 13 percent of the U.S. total.
Cattle alone make up over 40 percent of the state’s total agricultural cash receipts.
Texas is the nation’s top cotton producer, contributing close to 30 percent of total U.S. cotton revenue.
As of 2024, Texas had an inventory of 12 million cattle and calves, including 4.1 million beef cattle.
The economic impact of Texas’s food and fiber sector totals roughly $ 100 billion.
About 86 percent of Texas land is used in some form of agricultural production.
Texas ranks among the top 10 producers nationally for more than 40 different agricultural commodities.
The state is the country’s leading producer of watermelon and ranks second in carrots and pumpkins.
Texas farmers grow more than 600 specialty crops across the state’s varied climate zones.
Texas ranks fifth nationally in rice production, concentrated along the upper Gulf Coast.

Illinois: The Corn Belt’s Financial Engine

Illinois ranks eighth, with 74.0 percent of its land designated as farmland, and plays a significant role in national agriculture. The state often competes with Iowa for leading positions in corn and soybean production, supported by exceptionally deep, fertile topsoil. Outside the Chicago metropolitan area, Central Illinois is characterized by extensive corn and soybean cultivation. While Illinois is often associated with urban centers, most of its land is devoted to agriculture, highlighting a pronounced contrast between urban and rural land use.

Corn is Illinois’s top agricultural commodity, generating more than 8.5 billion dollars in production value.
Soybeans rank second, bringing in more than $ 5.6 billion from nearly 9.8 million harvested acres.
Illinois harvested corn on 11.75 million acres in a recent growing season.
Hogs contribute more than $ 1.6 billion to the state’s agricultural economy.
Cattle and calves add another 751 million dollars in annual production value.
Illinois dairy farms produce close to 1.85 billion pounds of milk each year.
The state harvested 670,000 acres of wheat, yielding nearly 45 million bushels.
Illinois layers produce about 1.5 billion eggs annually.
Pumpkin production adds more than $ 47 million to the state’s farm economy.
Illinois ranked among the top five states in the nation for total agricultural cash receipts, at around $ 21.7 billion.

Indiana: A Significant Contributor within the Corn Belt

Indiana ranks ninth, with 63.2 percent of its land classified as farmland, a proportion lower than some neighboring states but still constituting the majority of its territory. Located in the core of the Corn Belt, Indiana is a major producer of corn and soybeans and maintains robust hog and poultry industries. The northern and central regions feature flat, highly arable land, while the southern hills near the Ohio River are better suited to forestry and pasture. Indiana’s agricultural profile reflects a balance between farming, a relatively dense population, and a significant manufacturing sector. The state’s continued competitiveness in national grain production, despite having less farmland than Iowa or Illinois, underscores the importance of efficiency and soil quality in agricultural output.

Indiana’s agricultural products were valued at more than 18 billion dollars in 2022.
The state ranks number one in the nation for popcorn, gourds, and duck production.
Indiana farms sold more than 13 million ducks in a single recent year.
Indiana ranks fourth nationally in soybean production and fifth in corn.
Corn generated 6.5 billion dollars in cash receipts, harvested from over 5.3 million acres.
Indiana ranks second in the country for pumpkin production, grown across more than 7,000 acres.
The state ranks third nationally for spearmint and turkey production.
Indiana ranks fifth in the nation for hogs, with more than 10 million sold annually.
Indiana also lands in the top 10 nationally for watermelons, eggs, and maple syrup.
About 65 percent of Indiana’s agricultural value comes from crops, with the remaining 35 percent from livestock.

Montana: Expansive Ranches and Agricultural Land

Montana is ranked tenth, with 61.6 percent of its land designated as farmland. Unlike the Corn Belt states, Montana’s agricultural sector centers on cattle ranching and wheat production, with some of the largest ranches and farms in the United States. As the fourth-largest state by area, even a moderate farmland percentage equates to tens of millions of acres. The average farm size is significantly larger than in states such as Iowa or Illinois, with many ranches spanning tens of thousands of acres. Montana exemplifies the extensive, low-density agricultural operations characteristic of the western United States.

Cattle and calves are Montana’s top agricultural commodity, generating over 1.7 billion dollars in receipts.
Wheat ranks second in the state, worth nearly 1.25 billion dollars annually.
Montana is the nation’s third-leading wheat-producing state.
Hay ranks third among Montana commodities, earning the state the number four spot nationally.
Montana farmers plant wheat across more than 5.4 million acres each year.
Barley reached its highest production value in over a century in a recent harvest year.
Montana ranks second nationally in honey production, with nearly 160,000 bee colonies statewide.
Sugar beets rank sixth nationally in Montana production, generating over $ 92 million in receipts.
Dry peas are a growing crop in Montana, with cash receipts approaching $ 96 million.
The rangeland management philosophy prevalent in Wyoming also applies in Montana, where vast, low-density grazing operations dominate the western two-thirds of the state.

Missouri: A Convergence of Diverse Agricultural Practices

Missouri ranks eleventh, with 61.1 percent of its land classified as farmland, positioning it at a geographic and agricultural crossroads within the United States. The northern region resembles the Corn Belt, with extensive corn and soybean cultivation. In contrast, the southern region shifts to pasture, poultry, and cattle production as the terrain becomes hillier near the Ozarks. Missouri is a leading soybean producer and maintains a substantial cattle population. While urban centers such as St. Louis and Kansas City are prominent, rural areas support a diverse and resilient agricultural economy. Missouri’s lack of specialization, compared with states like Kansas or Texas, has contributed to the stability of its farming sector, with soybeans as the top crop and cultivated on over 5 million acres statewide.

Soybeans bring the state more than $ 2.2 billion in annual cash receipts.
Missouri ranks second nationally in the number of farms, with more than 95,000 operations.
The state ranks second in the country for hay production, harvesting 6.4 million tons annually.
Missouri ranks third nationally for beef cow inventory.
Corn remains Missouri’s biggest crop by bushel volume and is typically grown in rotation with soybeans.
Missouri ranks fourth in the nation for rice production.
The state’s agricultural sector contributes more than 88 billion dollars annually to Missouri’s economy.
Poultry and eggs rank third among Missouri commodities, generating more than $ 2.7 billion.
Missouri ranks in the top 10 nationally for more than two dozen different agricultural commodities.

Ohio: Agricultural Land within an Industrial State

Ohio ranks twelfth, with 51.6 percent of its land designated as farmland, a notable figure given the state’s strong association with manufacturing. More than half of Ohio’s land area is devoted to agriculture, with corn, soybeans, and wheat predominating in the flatter northern and western regions. The state also maintains robust dairy and poultry industries, as well as a growing wine and specialty crop sector near Lake Erie. Ohio’s farmland percentage is lower than Illinois’s or Indiana’s, mainly because of its higher population density and major urban centers such as Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. The state’s ability to sustain a strong agricultural base alongside extensive industrial development shows how farming and manufacturing can coexist within a single regional economy.

Soybeans are Ohio’s top commodity, worth 3.9 billion dollars from 4.73 million harvested acres.
Ohio ranks fifth nationally in soybean production.
Corn ranks second in the state, generating 3.2 billion dollars from more than 673 million bushels.
Ohio ranks second in the country in chicken egg production, producing nearly 11.8 billion eggs annually.
The state’s dairy herd of 250,000 cattle produces more than 5.6 billion pounds of milk each year.
Ohio ranks eighth nationally for total hog and pig inventory.
Cattle and calves add nearly $ 908 million to the state’s agricultural economy.
Ohio’s winter wheat harvest yields more than 53 million bushels from 590,000 acres.
The state ranks ninth nationally in both turkey inventory and value of turkey production.
Ohio ranks sixth in the nation for the number of floriculture operations statewide.

New Mexico: Arid Landscapes and Extensive Ranching

New Mexico ranks thirteenth, with 50.1 percent of its land classified as farmland, most of which is rangeland rather than the row-crop agriculture typical of northern and eastern states. Most farmland in New Mexico consists of arid grazing land for cattle and sheep, as the desert climate limits traditional crop production without irrigation. Where water resources are available, particularly along the Rio Grande valley, farmers cultivate chile peppers, pecans, and other specialty crops integral to the state’s agricultural identity. Because vegetation is sparse, ranchers need extensive acreage to support even modest livestock herds. The farmland percentage in New Mexico primarily reflects land use rather than agricultural productivity, as yields per acre are generally lower than in more humid regions. Nevertheless, ranching remains a fundamental aspect of rural life in the state.

Milk and cattle together account for roughly 78 percent of New Mexico’s total farm cash receipts.
New Mexico is the nation’s leading producer of pecans, ranking first for both total sales and yield per acre.
The state ranks second nationally in chile pepper production, growing over half of the entire U.S. crop.
New Mexico’s total agricultural output reached $ 4.33 billion, up 24 percent from the prior year.
Crop and livestock product sales in the state totaled 3.71 billion dollars in a recent year.
New Mexico ranks second nationally in overall pecan production value.
Hay and haylage represent the state’s top crop by harvested acreage, covering more than 350,000 acres.
New Mexico ranks fourth nationally in cheese production.
Onions rank fifth among the state’s top agricultural commodities nationally.
New Mexico farmers sold over 210 million dollars worth of fruit, nuts, and berries in a single year.

Minnesota: The Northern Boundary of the Corn Belt

Minnesota ranks fourteenth, with 49.8 percent of its land designated as farmland, marking a transition point where agricultural and forested areas are more evenly distributed. Southern Minnesota features productive corn and soybean fields, while the northern region consists mainly of forests, lakes, and land less suitable for crop cultivation. The state is a leading producer of sugar beets, turkeys, and hogs, reflecting a diverse agricultural sector. The lower farmland percentage is partly attributable to the extensive lakes and forests in the northern half of the state. Minnesota exemplifies how statewide statistics can obscure significant regional variation, with distinct agricultural and natural landscapes coexisting within its borders.

Minnesota ranks first in the nation for turkeys raised, sugar beets, and green peas for processing.
The state’s total agricultural marketing value reaches about 26 billion dollars annually.
Minnesota ranks second nationally in hog production and sweet corn for processing.
Corn is Minnesota’s top crop, generating over $ 8 billion, roughly 31 percent of total crop value.
Soybeans rank second among crops, worth more than $ 5.1 billion.
Minnesota ranks fourth in the nation as an agricultural exporting state, shipping about 10 billion dollars worth of goods.
Farmland in Minnesota covers roughly 27 million acres, or 53 percent of the state’s total land area.
The state is home to 15 of the nation’s top 100 agricultural cooperatives, ranking second among all states.
Minnesota ranks third nationally in soybeans, sunflower, canola, dry beans, and oats.
China, Mexico, and Canada are Minnesota’s three largest agricultural export markets.

Kentucky: Bluegrass, Tobacco, and Livestock Production

Kentucky ranks fifteenth, with 49.1 percent of its land classified as farmland, a figure influenced by the state’s rolling hills, equine operations, and longstanding agricultural traditions. While tobacco remains a notable crop, its significance has diminished in recent decades due to changing demand and policy. The Bluegrass region near Lexington is renowned for high-value horse farms, cattle production, and a developing bourbon corn supply chain. The state’s hilly, forested terrain limits large-scale farming compared to flatter plains states. Kentucky exemplifies the close relationship between agricultural land use and cultural identity, with both equine and bourbon industries deeply rooted in the state’s agricultural landscape.

Soybeans are Kentucky’s leading agricultural product, worth about 1.4 billion dollars annually.
Kentucky ranks first in the nation for horse sales, with equine assets valued at more than $ 23 billion.
The state is the largest beef cattle producer east of the Mississippi River.
Kentucky ranks second nationally in total tobacco production and first in burley tobacco.
Broilers bring in 1.3 billion dollars in cash receipts, ranking Kentucky ninth nationally for broiler production.
Kentucky farmers harvest roughly 2 million acres of hay every year.
Corn is one of Kentucky’s largest cash crops, valued at more than $ 1.2 billion.
The state ranks ninth in the nation for total hay production.
Kentucky’s equine industry has an economic impact of nearly 3 billion dollars annually.
Chicken egg production brings in nearly 246 million dollars, from more than 5.5 million laying hens.

Wyoming: Extensive Rangeland and Low Population Density

Wyoming ranks sixteenth, with 46.3 percent of its land designated as farmland, the majority of which is used for cattle and sheep grazing rather than crop production. As the least populated state, Wyoming’s agricultural sector features large ranches spread across arid, open landscapes that support low livestock densities. Row-crop farming is uncommon except in irrigated valleys because of the challenging climate and elevation. While the state’s economy is heavily influenced by energy production, ranching remains a significant component of its cultural and rural identity. Wyoming illustrates the extensive land requirements necessary to sustain agricultural operations in arid, high-elevation environments.

Cattle production accounts for about 78 percent of Wyoming’s agricultural receipts.
Livestock overall makes up roughly 86 percent of the state’s total agricultural revenue.
Cattle led the state in production value, at over $ 1 billion in a recent year.
Hay is Wyoming’s top crop, valued at more than $ 184 million.
Wyoming ranks sixth nationally in barley production.
The state ranks third nationally for total lambs and sheep.
Wyoming sheep producers generated more than 2.3 million pounds of wool in a single year.
More than 91 percent of Wyoming’s land area is utilized for some form of agriculture.
Sugar beets, dry beans, and wheat round out Wyoming’s top crop lineup.
Wyoming also raises hogs and produces honey as smaller but notable livestock commodities.

Colorado: Mountains Meet the Eastern Plains

Colorado ranks seventeenth, with 44.2 percent of its land classified as farmland. The western half of the state is dominated by the Rocky Mountains, which are largely unsuitable for agriculture. Meanwhile, the eastern plains support wheat, corn, and extensive cattle feedlots that supply regional beef processing. Irrigation projects facilitate the cultivation of specialty crops in otherwise arid areas. Colorado’s farmland percentage is lower than that of neighboring Great Plains states due to the prevalence of mountains, forests, and protected wilderness. The state shows how geography shapes agricultural statistics, with the eastern plains intensively farmed and the mountainous regions contributing little to total farmland.

Cattle and calves are Colorado’s top commodity, worth 3.46 billion dollars in cash receipts.
Livestock products account for about 66 percent of Colorado’s total agricultural cash receipts.
Colorado agriculture contributes more than 47 billion dollars annually to the state economy.
The state supports nearly 39,000 farms and ranches spread across 31.8 million acres.
Colorado exports nearly $ 2 billion in agricultural products each year.
Weld County alone generates about 2 billion dollars in agricultural product sales.
Dairy products rank second among Colorado’s top commodities, worth $ 757 million.
Colorado farmers have diversified into specialty crops like grapes, sunflowers, and Anasazi beans.
Corn ranks third on the state’s commodity list, generating $ 575 million in receipts.
Colorado agriculture supports more than 195,000 jobs statewide.

Delaware: Small State, Concentrated Farming

Delaware ranks eighteenth, with 41.7 percent of its land designated as farmland, a significant proportion given the state’s small geographic size. The state’s agricultural sector is highly concentrated, particularly in poultry production, with substantial numbers of broiler chickens raised for local companies. Soybeans and corn are also widely cultivated on the flat coastal plain, supporting the poultry industry. Delaware’s farmland percentage shows that agricultural intensity doesn’t depend on large land area, and that a robust farming culture can persist even in regions more commonly associated with business and industry.

Broilers are Delaware’s most valuable farm product, and the state produced about 263 million broilers in a recent year.
Corn is Delaware’s top crop, grown on two-fifths of the state’s cultivated land.
Livestock and related products account for about 78 percent of Delaware’s total farm income.
Delaware’s total farm sales topped 2.09 billion dollars in a recent year.
Sussex County produces more broilers annually than any other county in the entire United States.
Delaware ranks second in the nation in per-farm sales, trailing only California.
Apples are Delaware’s leading fruit crop, while soybeans rank second behind corn.
The state harvests more lima bean acres than any other state.
Delaware is home to 148 Century Farms, meaning farms owned by the same family for over 100 years.
About 40 percent of Delaware’s total land is devoted to agricultural production.

Tennessee: Rolling Hills and Agricultural Diversity

Tennessee ranks nineteenth, with 40.5 percent of its land classified as farmland, encompassing a diverse landscape from the Mississippi River delta in the west to the Appalachian foothills in the east. Middle and West Tennessee are characterized by row-crop production, including soybeans, cotton, and corn, while the eastern region supports cattle and hay farming because of its hilly terrain. Although tobacco has historically been significant, its prominence has declined in recent decades. The state’s varied topography limits farmland compared to flatter plains states. Tennessee shows agriculture’s continued importance, even in states known for other cultural or geographic features.

Soybeans are Tennessee’s top commodity by value, generating 965 million dollars annually.
Corn ranks second in the state, worth close to $ 889 million.
Tennessee is home to more than 45,000 cattle operations and 32 cattle auction markets.
The state’s cattle and calf inventory reached about 1.57 million head in 2024.
Tennessee ranks twelfth nationally in overall beef production and fourth in the Southeast.
Hay production is worth nearly 542 million dollars annually to Tennessee farmers.
Farmers harvested approximately 1.65 million acres of hay in 2024, producing 3.64 million tons.
Beef cattle account for about 16.7 percent of all agricultural cash receipts in Tennessee.
Tobacco remains part of Tennessee’s crop mix, though it now represents just 2.7 percent of commodity value.
Soybeans, corn, cattle, and hay together make up the overwhelming majority of Tennessee’s agricultural economy.

Here is a full list of U.S. States by Farmland Share:

States	Farmland Share (%)
Nebraska	89.50%
North Dakota	87.20%
South Dakota	87.20%
Kansas	85.60%
Iowa	83.90%
Oklahoma	74.90%
Texas	74.80%
Illinois	74.00%
Indiana	63.20%
Montana	61.60%
Missouri	61.10%
Ohio	51.60%
New Mexico	50.10%
Minnesota	49.80%
Kentucky	49.10%
Wyoming	46.30%
Colorado	44.20%
Delaware	41.70%
Arkansas	40.80%
Tennessee	40.50%
Wisconsin	39.80%
Arizona	34.40%
Mississippi	34.00%
Washington	32.40%
Maryland	32.20%
Louisiana	28.90%
Virginia	28.90%
Florida	28.30%
Georgia	26.90%
Alabama	26.50%
Michigan	26.00%
North Carolina	26.00%
Hawaii	25.50%
Oregon	24.90%
Pennsylvania	24.80%
South Carolina	23.90%
California	23.80%
West Virginia	22.80%
Idaho	21.70%
New York	21.60%
Vermont	20.30%
Utah	20.00%
New Jersey	14.90%
Connecticut	11.90%
Massachusetts	9.40%
Rhode Island	9.10%
Nevada	8.40%
New Hampshire	7.30%
Maine	6.10%
Alaska	0.20%

Analysis of Farmland Rankings

The rankings demonstrate a clear geographic pattern: nine of the top ten states are located in the Great Plains or the Corn Belt, regions characterized by flat, fertile land extending from North Dakota through Texas. According to the University of Nebraska, this area produces over 30 percent of the nation’s total agricultural output. Flat terrain, deep prairie soils, and reliable groundwater sources such as the Ogallala Aquifer have supported large-scale farming in this region for over a century. These factors remain critical to sustaining agricultural productivity.

States such as California, Florida, and New York are not included in this ranking, despite California’s position as the national leader in total agricultural revenue. Their absence results from the relatively small proportion of farmland in these states, which contain significant areas of mountains and deserts. The ranking presented here measures land use rather than economic output, a distinction that is essential for accurate interpretation in research or policy contexts.