March 18 is National Ag Day and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture celebrates the significant contributions agriculture has made in strengthening our nation’s security and prosperity.
NASDA is a partner of the ninth annual Feeding the Economy report, a national study that highlights the economic impact of United States food and agriculture sectors.
“The annual Feeding the Economy report alongside National Ag Day illuminates the essential contributions of farmers, ranchers and all food producers, driving economic growth and stability for the entire nation,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said. “As we celebrate National Agriculture Day, we’re proud that today’s report demonstrates the continued strength our industry of both across the states and globally.”
Report findings
The 2025 Feeding the Economy report continues to show that the U.S. food and agriculture sector is a foundational pillar of American culture and commerce. These industries directly support over 24 million jobs (15% of U.S. employment) and are responsible for more than $9.5 trillion of the country’s economic activity—about a fifth of total U.S. output.
It begins in the rich soil of America’s farms and ranches—nearly 2 million of them – spread across the heartland and stretching to the coasts, covering two out of every five American acres.
Next, millions of food scientists, production workers, logistics experts, truck drivers, and engineers work in almost 200,000 food manufacturing, processing, and storage facilities to keep our food supply chains strong to ensure fresh, safe food is readily available at home and abroad.
The journey may continue at one of the nation’s more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice locations or an item might make its way from one of roughly 200,000 retail food stores to American homes or gatherings where people enjoy the nation’s bounty.
Join NASDA in celebrating National Ag Week and the launch of the Feeding the Economy report as it highlights the impact of each state’s agriculture and food industry on social media, an access the full report at FeedingTheEconomy.com
