AGRICULTURE DELIVERS BIG VALUE TO THE ILLINOIS ECONOMY

Tricia Braid

Feb 11, 2014  |  Today's News

A recent study commissioned by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board clearly illustrates the value of farming to our state’s economy. That’s good information to have in your back pocket when say, there’s a proposed regulation that would make it even tougher to farm.

Since the Renewable Fuel Standard was put in place in 2005, the value of agriculture in Illinois has increased appreciably. We’ve added more than 28,000 jobs during that time span in agriculture alone. The ag economy is growing in value and in employment, while other sectors have declined.

Agriculture is a bright spot. Join IL Corn in making sure it stays that way.

2012 AGRICULTURALLY-RELATED
EMPLOYEMENT ESTIMATE
ILLINOIS

  • 324,417 working in 2012
    • 177,408 working in production agriculture
      • Farmers (includes all operators of farms)
      • Hired Field Workers (includes those hired to operated equipment for planting, harvest, etc.)
      • Supervisors (managers, crew leaders, foreman)
      • Other workers (bookkeepers, mechanics)
  • 147,009 working in identified industries related to agriculture, such as:
    • Livestock and meat processing
    • Wholesalers of agriculture inputs or outputs
    • Farm Equipment manufacture and repair
    • Corn milling and ethanol manufacturing