Posted Dec. 11, 2014

Iowa’s 88,637 family farms continue to be a key driver of Iowa’s economy, contributing six percent more to the state economy than in 2007, according to a new study commissioned by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.

The study shows that more than 33 percent of Iowa’s total economic output came from Iowa agriculture in 2012.

The study analyzed data from the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census of Agriculture and the IMPLAN system to determine the contributions of Iowa agriculture.

The agriculture industry goes beyond just impacting the total economic output of the state. One in every five Iowans are employed in agriculture and ag-related industries, accounting for nearly 419,000 jobs. This compares to one in six jobs in 2007.

Even with this growth, Iowa’s farmers maintain their roots. More than 90 percent of farms in Iowa are family owned and operated with farm size averaging 345 acres.

The study shows that livestock farming and processing alone count for $31.6 billion in economic contribution for the state, up more than $3.5 billion from 2007. It also accounts for nearly 123,000 jobs across the state of Iowa.

For more information on the study and a county-by-county break out, visit www.supportfarmers.com/resources/iowaagintel/.