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Agriculture’s increasing role in Wisconsin’s economy

A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison and U.W. Extension shows agriculture is a growing part of Wisconsin’s economy.  Based on data for 2012: Wisconsin farms and agricultural businesses generated 413,500 jobs and $88.3 billion in economic activity.  That is an increase of 59,500 jobs and $29 billion in economic activity since the last survey in 2007.

In 2012; agriculture accounted for 10.9 percent of labor income, 10.9 percent of total income and 16.1 percent of industrial sales in Wisconsin.  One in nine people in the Badger State hold a job related to agriculture.

Dairy accounts for almost half of the state’s agricultural economy.  Dairy farming and dairy processing provided 78,900 jobs, $3.9 billion in labor income, $7.2 billion in total income and $43.4 billion in industrial sales.

Read the full report here: