Indiana Agriculture, Prime Farmland & Food Production

Indiana agriculture is a vital sector of the state’s economy, contributing over $31 billion to the state’s GDP annually. The state is located in the heart of the Midwest and has a favorable climate and fertile soils that make it an ideal location for agriculture. Indiana’s agriculture industry supports around 107,000 jobs in the state. We’re also considered an area where we have some of the most productive farmland in the United States and fortunate to have major agriculture programs and universities such as Purdue’s School of Agriculture and Agricultural Economics.

Indiana is a leading producer of corn and soybeans, with corn being the most widely grown crop. In addition, the state produces a variety of other crops, including wheat, oats, popcorn, tomatoes, watermelons, pumpkins, and apples. Livestock production is also a significant part of Indiana’s agriculture, including hogs, cattle, and chickens.

Here are the rankings of Indiana in the United States for each type of crop, food, or animals produced:

Corn:

Indiana is the fifth-largest corn-producing state in the U.S., producing over 900 million bushels annually. With some of the most productive farmland in the Midwest, there are a variety of tracts of farm real estate available for sale or auction each year.

Soybeans:

Indiana is the fourth-largest soybean-producing state in the U.S., producing over 340 million bushels annually.

Wheat:

Wheat ranks as the third most common crop to grow in Indiana. In 2022, both winter & spring wheat were producing around $158,000 each. It is relatively small compared to corn & soybeans but do not let that fool you. Wheat provides multiple benefits for Indiana’s row-crop farmers such as, breaking up weed & bug cycles, bettering the tilth of the ground making soil healthier, boosting marginal soil quality, and much more.

Pork:

Indiana is the fifth-largest pork-producing state in the U.S., with over 4 million hogs raised annually. Companies such as Indiana Pork and Indiana Packers Corporation purchase the 4 million (+) hogs bred & raised in Indiana from large- and small-scale family-owned operations.

Poultry:

Indiana is the second-largest duck-producing state in the U.S. and the third-largest egg-producing state, with over 35 million laying hens. Contributing to this significant amount are poultry farms ranging from county to county, one of these top producers includes Perdue Farms Inc.

Tomatoes:

Indiana is the third-largest processing tomato-producing state in the U.S., with over 7,000 acres dedicated to tomato production. Indiana is also home to the famous brand “Red Gold” which produces a wide variety of food items, including Ketchup, juice, chili sauce and more.

Watermelons:

Indiana is the ninth-largest watermelon-producing state in the U.S., with over 2,500 acres dedicated to watermelon production. Several farms, including Applacres, Inc., grow u-pick and production watermelons.

Pumpkins:

Indiana is the fifth-largest pumpkin-producing state in the U.S., with over 5,000 acres dedicated to pumpkin production and pumpkin farms and pumpkin patches. Many Indiana pumpkin farms also offer agri-tourism. All the way from St. Joseph County to Harrison County, the farmers dedicated to pumpkin production are seen.

Blueberries & Blueberry Farms:

You may not realize it, but Indiana blueberry farms are also ranked 10^th in the nation for production. From Fulton and LaPorte County to the entire Michiana / Michigan border area, a significant number of u-pick and production blueberries are grown, harvested and sold across Indiana.

Mint:

Peppermint & spearmint have been growing in Indiana since the late 1800s. Mint is harvested during mid-July through mid-September. Indiana ranks as the number three state for spearmint production and fourth for peppermint. Indiana produces $6.5 million worth of mint annually. In 2021, 5,500 acres of peppermint and 3,100 acres of spearmint were grown in northern Indiana. Just take a look at Wappel Farms, a farm that has been growing mint and distilling the oil since 1988, located in Delphi.

“Overall, Indiana’s diverse agriculture sector is a critical contributor to the state’s economy and provides a significant source of food and other products for the U.S. and global markets. With a focus on bolstering the economy, rural communities, and improving sustainable agriculture practices such as cover crops, reduced or minimum tillage or no-till, Indiana farmers and landowners are leading the way for food production that provides both economic and environmental benefits.”

Here are a few major agricultural organizations located in Indiana:

Indiana Soybean Alliance:

Indiana Soybean Alliance is recognized by the Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Qualified State Soybean Board. It is a statewide organization that serves Indiana soybean farmers through checkoff, membership and policy programs. Working with two national soybean organizations, United Soybean Board & American Soybean Association, they meet demand, develop new uses for soy products, expand export markets and develop national policy. Indiana Soybean Alliance provides practical and applicable research, promotes new and expanding markets, and educates consumers.

Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA):

Indiana Corn Growers Association is a membership organization that is the public policy voice for Indiana corn growers. It is not subsidized by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council’s checkoff funds. ICGA represents grower concerns at the local, state and national levels, including legislative, judicial, and regulatory agency decisions. ICGA works to promote corn and help improve corn growers’ profitability.

Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN):

Wabash Heartland Innovation Network is an alliance of ten counties in north-central Indiana that are devoted to working together fueling prosperity. WHIN harnesses the power of Internet-enabled sensors to develop their region into a global epicenter of digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing.

Indiana State Poultry Association (ISPA):

Indiana State Poultry Association provides educational material for classes, clubs, and fairs across Indiana. They provide a wide variety of materials on Biosecurity, flock health, common poultry diseases, and flock management – all while also offering a free flock evaluation program. ISPA knows whether it is a large- or small-scale family-owned farm, food safety and animal care are top priorities for farmers.

Indiana Farm Bureau:

Indiana Farm Bureau is a voice of agriculture. Not only does Indiana Farm Bureau advocate for agriculture and farmer, but the work goes well beyond the farm. This company represents the values Hoosier embraced when they first built the great state of Indiana – love for the land, dedication to hard work, and common-sense character rooted in family and neighbors. At Indiana Farm Bureau, there is a vision to keep agriculture in Indiana strong and vibrant, to provide quality food to Indiana residents and to protect the rural life so many people love.

Indiana Pork Producers Association:

Farming has changed over the years, but the commitment has not. Indiana Pork sees the undeniable importance in investing in the future and present members of Indiana Pork. They pride themselves on having absolute integrity to consumers and farmers alike. Accountable partnerships with our farmers are the nature of the business. Indiana Pork promotes the pork product to consumers, communicates for vital industry information affecting members/businesses, and a voice in addressing public perceptions surrounding the pork industry.