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Idaho dairy farmers produce more milk and cheese than almost any state in the nation. Idaho is ranked third behind California and Wisconsin.

Idaho Leads Nation In Ag Revenue Per Capita

drought, field, agriculture
Molly Messick
/
Boise State Public Radio

California is king of U.S. agriculture. But on a per capita basis, no state brings in more farm revenue than Idaho.

New USDA data published at the end of August show that Idaho's ag product sales add up to about $4,300 per person. That's nearly four times the per capita value of agriculture in California.

"To me, that’s a phenomenal number," says Sean Ellis of the Idaho Farm Bureau. "That's the only number you need to see to understand how important agriculture is to Idaho."

Montana ranks No. 2, with about $3,300 in ag sales per person. And Wyoming ranks third, with about $2,700.

Ellis adds that it's been a surprisingly good year for Mountain West farmers with net incomes inching up in many areas after several years of decline.

Idaho Republican Senator Jim Guthrie, who chairs the legislature's Senate Ag Committee, stresses the importance of a healthy farm and ranch sector.

"It really represents the personality of our state," he says. "It's a rural state. It's an ag state. And to be honest, it kind of saddens me when I see parking lots where there once were potato fields."

Find reporter Madelyn Beck on Twitter @MadelynBeck8

Copyright 2019 Boise State Public Radio

This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUER in Salt Lake City, KUNR in Reno, and KRCC and KUNC in Colorado.

Madelyn Beck was Boise State Public Radio's regional reporter with the Mountain West News Bureau.

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