Farming-Friendly States 2026
# of Farms
State | # of Farms 2024↓ | Small Farming Rank 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Texas | 231,000 | |
 | Iowa | 86,700 | |
 | Missouri | 85,700 | 10th |
 | Ohio | 74,000 | |
 | Illinois | 70,000 | |
 | Oklahoma | 70,000 | 1st |
 | Kentucky | 69,100 | |
 | Minnesota | 65,300 | |
 | Tennessee | 62,900 | |
 | California | 62,500 | 16th |
 | Wisconsin | 58,200 | 11th |
 | Kansas | 55,500 | |
 | Indiana | 52,000 | |
 | Pennsylvania | 48,800 | |
 | Florida | 44,400 | |
 | Nebraska | 44,300 | |
 | Michigan | 44,000 | |
 | North Carolina | 42,100 | |
 | Virginia | 39,000 | |
 | Georgia | 38,300 | |
 | Arkansas | 37,200 | |
 | Alabama | 37,100 | 6th |
 | Oregon | 35,500 | |
 | Colorado | 35,000 | |
 | Washington | 31,800 | |
 | Mississippi | 30,800 | 7th |
 | New York | 30,500 | |
 | South Dakota | 28,300 | |
 | North Dakota | 24,800 | |
 | Louisiana | 24,600 | 3rd |
 | Montana | 23,800 | 4th |
 | South Carolina | 22,600 | |
 | West Virginia | 22,600 | 5th |
 | Idaho | 22,500 | |
 | New Mexico | 20,800 | 9th |
 | Utah | 17,300 | |
 | Arizona | 15,100 | |
 | Maryland | 12,600 | |
 | Wyoming | 10,500 | 2nd |
 | New Jersey | 9,900 | 15th |
 | Maine | 7,000 | |
 | Massachusetts | 6,900 | 13th |
 | Hawaii | 6,500 | |
 | Vermont | 6,300 | |
 | Connecticut | 4,900 | 14th |
 | New Hampshire | 3,850 | 12th |
 | Nevada | 3,100 | 8th |
 | Delaware | 2,150 | |
 | Alaska | 1,200 | |
 | Rhode Island | 1,000 | 17th |
 | United States | 1,880,000 |
What Determines the Best State for Farming?
Sure, farming might not be the most glamorous job in the world, but it is always in demand. After all, people always need something to eat, and farming is always going to be the backbone of this country. Therefore, if you are thinking about becoming a farmer, you might be wondering what the best state is in which to be a farmer. There are a number of factors that play a role in the ranking. For example, the amount of land available to farmers, the number of people available to work the farms, and the availability of sunlight, water, and fertile soil all play a significant role.
What Is the Best State for Farming Overall?
Overall, the best state in which to be a farmer is Montana. There are a number of reasons why Montana is so popular. There is a lot of land available for farms, the weather is beautiful, and the soil is fertile. Furthermore, there is already a strong infrastructure in place to support people who decide to become a farmer. Montana also has a variety of laws that are incredibly favorable to those who want to be farmers. With a lot of protections in place for farmers, it is easy to see why Montana has become such a popular location for farmers.
What States Have the Most Farm Workers?
It is also important to take a look at which states have the most people available to work farms. After all, you can’t run a farm by yourself, and you will need to have people available to help you. The states with the most workers available per 100,000 people include California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Iowa. If you decide to start a farm in any of these states, you should have plenty of people available to help you work it.
On the other hand, states that are located in the Northeast generally do not have a lot of people available to work the farms. For example, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island do not have a lot of people available to help you if you decide to start a farm in those locations. Alaska is another location with few farm workers, most likely because of its location and relatively low population.
What States Are Growing Quickly for Farms?
The landscape can change quickly for those interested in starting a farm, and there are some states that are growing quickly when it comes to farmland. For example, Alabama, Montana, Colorado, and Idaho are all growing when it comes to available farmland. If you want to live in a location where your farm has an opportunity to expand, you may want to consider living in one of these states.
On the other hand, there are several states that are losing farmland relatively quickly. A few examples include Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. If you decide to live in these locations, you run the risk of having your farm taken, or resources taken, due to the rapid development that is taking place in these locations. You should think about these factors carefully before starting a farm.
