Before becoming the heartland agricultural powerhouse we know today, Iowa was established on a tallgrass prairie. It was built on some of the richest topsoil on Earth. In the mid-1800s, early settlers began turning that deep prairie soil with steel plows, establishing small family homesteads (just like many of the states started). 

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, farming transformed dramatically as horse-drawn equipment gave way to tractors and mechanical harvesters. The 1930s marked a major turning point. This was thanks to the widespread introduction of hybrid seed corn. This allowed crop yields to skyrocket. This cemented Iowa’s position as a leader in American grain production.

Today, agriculture touches every corner of Iowa. Iowa farmers dedicate roughly 30 million acres to farming. That is over 80% of Iowa’s land area. Modern Iowa consistently leads the United States in corn production, harvesting over 2.5 billion bushels in strong years, along with roughly 600 million bushels of soybeans. Farmers rely on a systematic corn-soybean crop rotation to naturally replenish nitrogen in the soil, control pests, and protect land health for future generations.

Beyond crop fields, Iowa is also a national titan in livestock production. Much of the field corn grown across Iowa feeds this local livestock or fuels renewable energy through ethanol production. From pioneering soil conservation techniques to embracing high-tech precision agriculture, Iowa’s farming history reflects a continuous journey of feeding millions of consumers across the globe.

About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Development

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Development (IDALS) is a dedicated champion for Iowa’s rural communities. They work every day behind the scenes to care for the animals, protect the natural resources, and ensure the food on your dinner table is safe, wholesome, and fresh.

The department is led by the Secretary of Agriculture and is split into 3 major divisions: Animal Industry Division, Consumer Protection and Food Safety Division, and Soil Health and Water Quality Division.

Through the Animal Industry Division and the State Veterinarian, IDALS supports high standards of responsible care across the state. By managing licensing, inspections, and disease prevention, their team helps keep farm animals healthy. 

The Consumer Protection and Food Safety division oversees the seed, plant, and crop health so that everything growing in Iowa soil gets the best possible start. They are also instrumental in the certification of weight scales and fuel pumps all the way to inspecting dairy, meat, poultry, and local honeybee hives. They work to ensure transparency and safety at every turn.

The IDALS is committed to keeping the Iowa soil and water healthy for generations to come. Working directly with farmers, local landowners, and city planners, the Soil Health and Water Quality Division helps put practical conservation ideas into action. By using smart field practices and natural water filtration. They have tailored projects to prevent soil erosion and keep the rivers and streams clean. They do this to protect the environment and the future of Iowa agriculture.

At the end of the day, IDALS is all about connecting people with the incredible food from Iowa. Through Choose Iowa, the state’s official brand for Iowa-grown, raised, and made products, the department helps local farmers and small businesses connect directly to the people of Iowa.

Learn more at https://iowaagriculture.gov/.

Top 5 Agricultural Commodities in Iowa

When you think of Iowa, image-built visions of endless field corn likely pop in your head. And for good reason! Iowa is an agricultural powerhouse, consistently ranking among the top three agricultural states in the nation. But Iowa’s rich prairie soil and dedicated farming families produce far more than just sweet corn on the cob. From fueling renewable energy to supplying essential protein to dinner tables across the globe, 

Corn

Iowa produces more corn than any other state in the nation. It yields over 2.5 billion bushels during strong harvest years! While many consumers picture sweet corn, the vast majority grown here is actually field corn. Corn forms the economic backbone of Iowa’s rural towns. It fuels Iowa’s leading bioeconomy as the primary ingredient in ethanol production, providing clean energy and local green jobs. And here’s a little fun fact… If Iowa were its own country, it would be the 4th largest corn producer in the entire world!

Pork

Iowa comfortably holds the #1 spot in U.S. pork production. With about 24 to 25 million hogs on Iowa farms at any given time, pigs outnumber human residents in Iowa by roughly 8 to 1! Pork production accounts for tens of thousands of local jobs in processing, feed milling, and transportation, putting fresh, locally raised meat into regional grocery stores. Plus, Iowa supplies roughly one-third of all pork produced in the United States.

Soybeans

Iowa consistently ranks #2 in the nation for soybean production. Nearly 600 million bushels are harvested annually. They are critical to sustainable farm management in Iowa. Farmers rotate soybeans with corn every year to naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Cattle and Calves

While Iowa’s flatlands are famous for crops, its rolling pastures make it an ideal place for raising cattle. Iowa ranks high nationally for cattle on feed and high-quality beef cattle production. Cattle farming uses hilly acres unsuited for row crops, preserving natural pastures, preventing erosion, and supporting diverse family farms

Eggs

Did you know Iowa is the #1 egg-producing state in America? With tens of millions of laying hens, Iowa produces over 12 billion eggs annually. Egg farming supports thousands of specialized agricultural jobs in hatchery management, nutrition, and cold chain logistics across the state.

Fruits and Vegetables from Iowa

While Iowa is world-famous for row crops like corn and soybeans, the Hawkeye State boasts a thriving specialty crop sector powered by over 1,000 vegetable farms and roughly 1,700 fruit operations.

Top Fruits

• Apples: Apples are Iowa’s primary tree fruit crop. Commercial orchards thrive along river valleys. Iowa is home to roughly 2,000+ acres of apple orchards.
• Grapes: Driven by a booming regional viticulture and farm winery movement, grape production has exploded across Iowa. Cold-hardy hybrid varieties developed to survive harsh Upper Midwest winters dominate the landscape. Iowa is home to over 100 commercial wineries and nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards.
• Strawberries: As the earliest fruit harvest of the summer season, strawberries are an Iowa staple for pick-your-own operations, roadside stands, and community farmers markets. They are among the highest-yielding fruit crops per acre in Iowa direct-to-consumer sales, averaging thousands of pounds per acre under proper row-cover protection.

Top Vegetables

• Sweet Corn: While field corn feeds livestock and ethanol production, fresh sweet corn is Iowa’s iconic summer culinary vegetable. Grown in every county, local sweet corn is harvested and sold fresh daily throughout July and August.
• Pumpkins & Winter Squash: Pumpkins and winter squash (acorn, butternut, hubbard) lead Iowa’s vegetable acreage. High demand for fall agritourism (pumpkin patches, corn mazes, autumn displays) makes pumpkins a primary cash crop for specialty growers.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are the #1 most commonly grown produce crop among commercial vegetable growers in the state. They are grown in traditional open fields, plastic-mulch raised beds, and increasingly in high tunnels (unheated greenhouses).

Visit our Produce Directory and learn how to Select, Store and Serve these fruits & vegetables.

About 50 States of Agriculture 

In celebration of 250 years of the United States, The Produce Moms is proud to present 50 States of Agriculture. This is an educational and free resource that celebrates the bounty of America. We utilized USDA and State Department of Agriculture data (Iowa) for the content in this series.

Agriculture is the foundation of freedom. Food security is national security. This content series is a celebration of United States culture and the hard-working farmers who feed, fuel &  clothe our nation and the world.

Visit another state from our 50 States of Agriculture.