1. Starting with Soybeans: A Crop That Feeds the Nation
Did you know American farmers plant billions of soybean seeds every year? That’s enough to cover entire states!
Soybean farming is a powerhouse operation in states like Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Farmers here prepare billions of soybean seeds yearly, with one tractor capable of planting over 128,000 seeds per acre. Most effort goes to pest control, irrigation, and timing- few things are required for these beans to grow. More than 7.7 million acres of farmland in Minnesota are used for growing soybeans, while nationally, the huge production stands at 4.4 billion bushels annually.
And that’s just the beginning. Next, we’ll visit the heart of corn country!
2. Corn: America’s Golden Crop
Every year, U.S. farmers grow enough corn to circle the globe countless times!
Across the country, the corn fields sprawled over 96.3 million acres, with Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska leading the charge. Planting in these fields is done largely in late April when high-tech machinery plants 34,000 or so seeds per acre. Thirsty from planting, an acre of corn consumes about 600,000 gallons of water in its lifetime. In 2021 alone, U.S. farmers harvested around 15.1 billion bushels, making America the world’s largest corn producer. A great that goes to animal feeding purposes, while 44 percent is transformed into ethanol.
But wait, it gets even better…just wait till you get to the wheat fields!
3. Wheat Fields of Kansas: The Breadbasket of America
Ever wonder where your daily bread begins? Kansas alone grows enough wheat to bake over 36 billion loaves annually!
Wheat harvest in mid-June from the immense Kansas wheat fields moves forward. Nationally, 37.7 million acres generate roughly 1.65 billion bushels of wheat per year. Once the wheat is culled, it’s trucked to huge storage premises ready for processing and transfer. This cereal not only feeds the US food supply but is also an essential export.
But America doesn’t just grow gains- let’s head west for a nutty surprise!
4. Almond Orchards of California: A Global Supplier
California produces over 80% of the world’s almonds, with orchards stretching as far as the eye can see!
Almond farming is a good example: the seedlings take several years to reach full production. It starts in mid-February and requires a huge amount of water, with farmers dependent on very sophisticated drip irrigation. By midwinter, the trees have to be prepared by pruning when the almond blossoms bloom in early spring. Bees are quite invaluable here as at least millions are transported to pollinate the almond flowers. After a summer of growth, harvesters shake the trees, dropping almonds onto the ground for collection.
And that’s not all! The next one you can’t seem to keep away from!
5. Potatoes from Idaho: Feeding the World, One Fry at a Time
Idaho grows so many potatoes that it could fill over 500 Olympic swimming pools!
Idaho is famous for its potatoes, and farmers here plant millions of tubers every year. Potatoes are relatively low-maintenance crops. On the rich volcanic soils of the region, farmers plant early in the spring, and by late summer, it’s time to harvest. Special machines dig up potatoes, sort them out, and ship them all over the country and beyond. Fries, chips spuds go into everything, making up one major chunk of the U.S. food industry.
So far, so impressive… but let’s finish with a bang in Michigan!
6. Michigan’s Cornfields: The Versatile Crop That Powers Vehicles and Feeds Livestock
Corn is so versatile that nearly half of it ends up in fuel tanks!
Michigan fields currently sustain over 2.25 million acres of corn and major production for food, fuel, and feed. Planting starts in late April, with acres upon acres harvest-ready by fall. Today’s machinery can handle up to 600 acres of corn daily. Much of Michigan’s corn great deal just like the rest of the U.S. crop-all goes to animal feed, ethanol, through finished packaged foods. It is estimated that U.S. corn fields alone produce enough corn to fill over 7,000 semi-truck trailers every year.
America’s farms are a phenomenal testament to ingenuity and hard work, proving that behind each meal is a story of dedication and scale unmatched in a few countries.
