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Wisconsin ag impact on economy grows

Cabbage field in Wisconsin

The economic impact of agriculture on Wisconsin’s economy is 11.5 billion dollars higher in just five years.  New data from the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics shows the impact of agriculture in 2017 was 104.8 billion dollars, but 2022 data shows ag production, and the food processing sectors increased 10.9 percent to 116.3 billion dollars, accounting for 14.3 percent of the state’s total economic output.

Agriculture accounts for 353,900 jobs in Wisconsin.  Along with being the dairy state and exporting the most specialty cheeses, Wisconsin ranks first in the production of snap beans, cranberries, and corn for silage. Wisconsin is also the top mink pelt producing state, number one in turning cabbage into sauerkraut, and is second in dry forage production. Wisconsin ranks third nationally in production of potatoes, carrots, peas, and sweet corn.