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Indiana Farms: Agriculture History, How Farms Make Money and Strategy

Guide updated November 2026

Indiana farms produced more than $18 billion of agricultural products in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, about 65 percent from crops and 35 percent from livestock. The state had 53,599 farms on 14.6 million acres, and it ranks first nationally for popcorn, gourds and duck, with top-five placement for soybeans, corn and hogs.

Indiana agriculture at a glance
Farms and land in farms53,599 farms on 14.6 million acres; average farm size 272 acres (2022 Census of Agriculture)
Top commoditiesCorn, soybeans, hogs, eggs, dairy, popcorn and duck; No. 1 nationally for popcorn, gourds and duck
Market value of ag products soldMore than $18 billion in 2022, about 65 percent crops and 35 percent livestock
State agriculture departmentIndiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)
Land-grant extensionPurdue University and Purdue Extension
Farm BureauIndiana Farm Bureau

Agriculture in Indiana: A Short History

Indiana's glaciated landscape of till plains, river bottoms and sandy northwest soils made it a natural extension of the Corn Belt, and row-crop farming with hogs and cattle dominated for generations. Many farms stayed in the same families, and programs such as the Hoosier Homestead Award list in ISDA's programs recognize that continuity. Southern Indiana farm families such as the Armstrongs of Lawrence County have farmed land since 1817 or earlier.

The 20th century added specialty sectors. Popcorn companies such as Weaver Popcorn, founded in 1928, and Orville Redenbacher's early work in Valparaiso made the state a popcorn leader. Egg producers like Rose Acre Farms of Seymour, which began in 1939, grew into national companies, and northern Indiana became a duck center through Maple Leaf Farms, founded in 1958. In recent years large dairies and robotic milking, such as Fair Oaks Farms and Koester Brothers Farms, have reshaped the livestock side.

How Farms in Indiana Make Money

Commodity sales

Crops generate most of the state's value. The 2022 Census reports more than $18 billion in production, 65 percent from crops. Indiana ranks fourth in soybeans and fifth in corn and hogs, and sixth in eggs. Top counties by production value are Jay, Jasper, Elkhart, LaGrange and Dubois, which shows how poultry, grain and dairy are spread across regions.

Value-added and direct sales

Indiana's specialty industries add value beyond raw commodities. Popcorn, eggs, duck and dairy all move through branded or processed channels. ISDA's Indiana Grown program and Certified Livestock Producer program help farms market local products.

Agritourism, leases and diversification

ISDA lists agritourism among its services, and farms like Fair Oaks show how visitors can generate revenue. Others lease land, haul grain, or add custom work. Maple syrup and hemp rank among the state's top ten nationally, offering niche options.

Agriculture Strategy for Indiana Farms

Soils, water and climate

Much of Indiana has productive, tile-drained soils, but drainage and nutrient runoff are central issues. ISDA's conservation programs include the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Clean Water Indiana and CREP. Cover crops, no-till and nutrient management protect soil and water, practices highlighted by the Rulon family among 2026 Master Farmers.

Production and risk

Indiana farms balance corn, soybeans and livestock. Hog and poultry growers manage disease risk and contracts, as highly pathogenic avian influenza has hit Indiana egg farms. Crop insurance, diversification, and Purdue risk management resources help. Purdue's farm risk team provides tools for planning.

Technology and inputs

Precision technology and robotic milking are increasingly common. The Koester family adopted robots in 2012, and Master Farmers highlight no-till and precision agriculture. Test new tools on a limited basis, track results and make sure data can be used.

Farm Business Strategy in Indiana

Margins and markets

With an average farm of 272 acres, many Indiana farms rely on cost control and marketing. Compare enterprise budgets, consider contracts or niche markets, and use Purdue Extension and Purdue's commercial agriculture team for budgeting tools. Specialty crops like popcorn and sectors like duck offer niche contract opportunities.

Land, credit and succession

The Census counted 94,282 producers with an average age of 56, so succession is a pressing issue. Young producers under 35 numbered 11,058, and 26,428 are new or beginning farmers. Farm Service Agency and Farm Credit lenders offer beginning farmer programs, and farmers.gov provides entry points. Start succession discussions early, put roles in writing and involve a lawyer and lender.

Marketing and diversification

Diversify channels as Weaver does with retail, concession and fundraising products, and look for ways to use by-products. Local branding through Indiana Grown, agritourism and direct sales can add margin, but needs planning for labor and liability.

Farm Insight: Indiana Trends to Watch

Watch the consolidation of farms, the aging of producers and the growth of specialty sectors. The Census shows 26,428 new and beginning farmers, an important sign of renewal. Disease control, water quality and labor will continue to shape poultry, hog and dairy decisions.

Indiana's honors, such as the Indiana Prairie Farmer Master Farmer awards, highlight practices other operators can copy: conservation, technology adoption and community leadership. Learn from peers through Purdue farm tours and state association meetings.

Indiana grows popcorn, ducks, eggs and a great deal of corn, which gives a comedy writer plenty to work with. The farm satire team at farm.FM says the best farm humor in the Hoosier State involves tile lines and basketball season. The ranch humor is quieter but real, and the farm jokes arrive whenever a combine meets a county road at harvest. We respect the work behind every one.

Readers who want the full experience can pair the jokes with Tractor Tunes, the country music for farmers that farm.FM, the nation's first satirical farm site, plays between stories. This author page is a fine starting point.

Elite Farms and Ranches in Indiana

These 6 operations are profiled in full, with history, how each makes money, lessons for other farms and published contact details.

Elite operations in Indiana

Who to Contact in Indiana: Agriculture Offices and Associations

Indiana Farming FAQ

How many farms are in Indiana?

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 53,599 farms on 14.6 million acres, with an average size of 272 acres.

What does Indiana rank first in?

Popcorn, gourds and duck, according to a summary of the 2022 Census.

Who can help beginning farmers in Indiana?

Purdue Extension, ISDA, the Farm Service Agency and Farm Credit lenders; start at farmers.gov.

Which elite Indiana operations are profiled here?

Rose Acre Farms, Weaver Popcorn Company, Maple Leaf Farms, Fair Oaks Farms, Spring Creek Cattle Co. and Koester Brothers Farms.

Indiana farms range from egg and duck giants to Master Farmer family dairies and cattle herds, and the profiles below show how each makes its living. Read them to see how Indiana farms can learn from one another.

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