Chief Economist Krista Swanson with the National Corn Growers Association says a new study shows corn farming is a major driver of the U.S. economy.
She says it reaches over 500 different industry sectors in all 50 states.
“In 2024, corn farmers in the United States grew 14.9 billion bushels of corn that was valued at $64.7 billion,” Swanson says. “But when you also include input suppliers, that figure rises to $123 billion.”
She told Brownfield that corn farming supported over 440,000 jobs and provided $29 billion in wages last year.
“Where are those wages going?” She says, “A lot of those are located in rural America, but also across the entire nation because there are those linkages in all 50 states, even in areas where we don’t have corn production.”
Swanson says higher corn prices would further increase corn farming’s value to the economy, which is why expanding demand is critical.
“This shows that when we can have higher value for our corn that flows through, and like I said, has this ripple effect throughout the economy, it allows us to make an even greater impact,” she says.
She says NCGA is prioritizing its advocacy efforts for expanded trade markets and the nationwide, year-round sale of E-15.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Corn is grown in virtually every state and is the number one crop in America. This study begins to demonstrate and put numbers to just how large the impact truly is on the overall economy. Needless to say – it has a huge impact on employment and incomes, especially in rural areas. No doubt, you have some corn production in your area. Whether the corn goes to feed livestock, is consumed as sweet corn, made into corn flakes or to power your car with ethanol, it is a key ingredient in agriculture and the U.S. economy.
Perhaps you might use some of the statistics from the NCGA study to help others in your community understand the role of agriculture and the importance of corn to our everyday life. Many people could be surprised to learn the facts about corn and the corn farmers would certainly appreciate the recognition and support.
