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Most valuable crops grown in Kentucky

There are more than 2 million farms in the United States, about 98% of which are operated by families, individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. About 87% of all agricultural products in America are produced on family ranches or farms. A single farm feeds an average of 166 people per year, both in the U.S. and abroad. Even so, farming is a mere sliver of the U.S. economy, representing just 1% of America’s GDP—farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of America’s population.

More African Americans are operating farms now than ever before, likewise for Hispanic and Latino farm operators. One in four farmers are beginning farmers, a term that represents those with fewer than 10 years in agriculture work—their average age is 46. About 11% of U.S. farmers served or are serving in the military.

The U.S. imports $129 billion worth of agricultural products a year, but the country maintains a positive trade balance by exporting $137 billion worth. Stacker compiled a list of the most valuable crops grown in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture state agriculture overview. Crops are ranked by 2020 value of production.

Keep reading to see which crops grown in Kentucky are the most valuable.

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#5. Wheat

– 2020 production: $116.7 million
– Top states:
— #1. North Dakota ($1.6 billion)
— #2. Kansas ($1.3 billion)
— #3. Montana ($1.2 billion)
— #4. Washington ($942.4 million)
— #5. Idaho ($582.4 million)

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#4. Tobacco

– 2020 production: $237.1 million
– Top states:
— #1. North Carolina ($362.8 million)
— #2. Kentucky ($237.1 million)
— #3. Tennessee ($76.5 million)
— #4. Virginia ($56.1 million)
— #5. Georgia ($39.1 million)

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#3. Hay & haylage

– 2020 production: $785.6 million
– Top states:
— #1. Texas ($1.5 billion)
— #2. Wisconsin ($1.1 billion)
— #3. California ($1.0 billion)
— #4. Idaho ($930.9 million)
— #5. Pennsylvania ($881.5 million)

Claudia Harms-Warlies // Shutterstock

#2. Corn

– 2020 production: $1.1 billion
– Top states:
— #1. Iowa ($9.9 billion)
— #2. Illinois ($9.3 billion)
— #3. Nebraska ($7.6 billion)
— #4. Minnesota ($6.1 billion)
— #5. Indiana ($4.4 billion)

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#1. Soybeans

– 2020 production: $1.2 billion
– Top states:
— #1. Illinois ($7.0 billion)
— #2. Iowa ($5.5 billion)
— #3. Minnesota ($4.0 billion)
— #4. Indiana ($3.8 billion)
— #5. Missouri ($3.3 billion)

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