Farm Economy Resources
We are working diligently to develop resources that help us demonstrate the contributions of agriculture to various economies, as well as the impacts that various social or political changes may have on the bottom-lines of Illinois farmers.
About Illinois Agriculture
Agriculture is a robust industry in Illinois, boasting 71,123 farming operations and 121,342 producers (USDA-NASS, 2022, Census of Agriculture). Of these farming operations, over 93% are considered family farms. Of those, the majority (67%) are considered small family farms, or those that make less than $350,000 gross cash farm income (GCFI) per year.
In Illinois, most farms operate as sole proprietorships, representing 84.15% of total farming operations and 71.03% of farmland acres. Family farms also represent a significant share of partnerships and incorporated farming operations, compromising nearly 85% of total corporate farming operations, for example.
Farming and the agricultural industry as a whole contribute greatly to Illinois' economy, adding $57.8 billion in added value (including jobs, labor income, and output), or 6% of the state's total economy. This includes over 450,000 jobs across the state.