North Dakota

A staggering 90% of North Dakota's land is made up of farms and ranches. Farming and agriculture is ingrained in North Dakota and is the largest segment of the state's overall economy, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the state's employment.

North Dakota often appears in the top 10 cattle producers in the country but fell to #15 in 2022 with 1.85 million cattle. Still, the state's livestock industry accounts for roughly 15% of the state's agricultural cash revenue. There are 26,000 active farms and 39.3 million acres of agricultural land, with 9.87 million acres allocated towards permanent pasture and rangeland. This provides an ample grazing environment for the 945,000 beef cattle produced by the state each year.

Cropland accounts for 28 million acres of the agricultural landscape, with soybeans, corn, wheat, and canola accounting for $8.68 billion of annual agricultural revenue.

South Dakota's agricultural landscape is booming and is a major part of the state's economy. Statistics indicate that farm operators in the state, age 34 and younger, make up only around 10% of the agricultural workforce, with nearly 30% nearing the retirement age of 65 or older. As the older labor force transitions out it will be critical for the younger workforce to transition in to prevent farm closures and major selloffs to large, corporate industries. Supporting family-owned, local farms and ranches helps to ensure future profitability and success, increasing market appeal for younger generations. This helps to maintain a strong local economy and keeps more farms and ranches in business, helping to solidify continued nutritional independence for the communities moving forward.