Opportunities
Agriculture, Food Production & Bioproducts
The Agriculture and Food Production Industry in Ohio is a diverse
sector that includes farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm
machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and
retail sales. Ohio's agriculture industry plays a critical role in the
health of our economy, employing more than 60,000 workers at 1,106
production plants. The state's 76,500 farms rank Ohio 8th in the
nation and cover more than 14 million acres - nearly 55 percent of the
total land area. The state's food and agriculture sector contributes
more than $98 billion to Ohio's economy each year, and the food and
beverage manufacturing industry exports equal $25 billion annually,
allowing Ohio to truly supply the world with nourishing food.
Ohio's strategic location between the grain belt and Eastern markets brings together all of the elements that comprise food production and underlies Ohio's strength in food processing. Although responsible for only 2 percent of the nation's crop and livestock production, Ohio ranks 18th in value of total agricultural products sold. A leading manufacturer of key food and agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, Swiss cheese and eggs, Ohio is home to food industry leaders such as Kroger, J.M. Smucker, Honeybaked Foods Inc., Chiquita Brands International and Bob Evans Farms. The state is also a leader in the specialized nutraceutical food production industry.
Ohio's Center of Excellence in Agriculture, Food Production and Bioproducts is located at The Ohio State University. Founded in 1870 as a land-grant university in accordance with the Morrill Act of 1862 under the name of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, Ohio State is now one of the largest and most comprehensive institutions in the country with nationally ranked programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. The Center of Excellence in Food Production, Supply, and Safety at Ohio State is committed to focusing their academic and research activities from food supply to production technology to safe distribution to further strengthen Ohio's international reputation as a leader in agriculture and food production.
Ohio's diverse agricultural sector provides a multitude of resources for the food processing industry and a concentration of food processors within the state. Already a leader within the agriculture industry, Ohio ranks in the top fi ve states in one-half of the food processing groups, fi rst in the production of Swiss cheese and second in the production of tomatoes.
Ohio's Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Food Production will serve as a signifi cant driver of the state's economy by investing in research and development while training its workforce with the high-level knowledge, problem-solving, creative thinking and technology skills needed to be a leader in the innovationbased global economy.
Did you know?
One out of every 7 Ohioans is employed in the Agriculture and Food Production Industry.
Ohio ranks 2nd in the nation for chicken layers and egg production. Ohio producers grow or raise more than 200 diverse crops.
Ohio has more than 1,500 acres of vineyards.
Ohio farmers produced 5 billion pounds of milk last year. Ohio ranks in the top 10 nationally for its commodities, including corn, soybeans, and all cheeses.
Ohio ranks in the top 10 nationally for its production animals, including chickens, turkeys, hogs and milk cows.
Ohio operates the world's largest pizza plant (General Mills in Wellston).
Ohio has the largest soup factory in the world (Campbell's Soup in Napoleon).
Ohio makes more ketchup than anywhere else in the world (Heinz plant in Fremont).
Ohio has the largest yogurt plant (Dannon in Auglaize County).
