JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority funded a study through Decision Innovation Solutions. Results were announced just before the holidays.

In 2021, agriculture, forestry and related industries in Missouri are estimated to have contributed $93.7 billion in output, $34.9 billion in value added and 456,618 jobs.

Of the total value added and jobs derived from agriculture, forestry and related industries, livestock production and related industries contributed $9.5 billion value added with 155,425 jobs.

Crop production and related industries contributed $5.4 billion value added and 81,095 jobs. Forestry and related industries reached $4.9 billion value added and 52,690 jobs. Other agriculture industries totaled $15 billion in value added and 167,409 jobs.

It is important young people know the number of opportunities in agriculture. So often, people think agriculture stops at the farm gate. Folks who are on the farm every day are the backbone of our nation. However, we must continue to tell the story that agriculture extends beyond the farm.

One of the outcomes I am most proud of is that Missouri ranks in the Top 10 in the nation for 14 different commodities. These rankings demonstrate our state’s importance to feed, clothe and fuel the world.

Read the full article from Director Chinn at www.farmprogress.com and find more details regarding the Economic Contribution Study at agriculture.mo.gov.

— Chris Chinn, Missouri Department of Agriculture