The value of agricultural products sold by Iowa farmers grew by more than $10 billion from 2007 to 2012, an increase of nearly 51 percent, according to preliminary results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture released last week.

Iowa ranked second in the nation behind California with total agriculture sales of $30.8 billion in 2012, according to the ag census, which is conducted every five years.

"These preliminary results ag­ain show the immense scale and economic impact of agriculture on our state’s economy and the importance of Iowa agriculture nationally," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

 

 

 

Iowa in second spot

 

 

 

Crop sales by Iowa farmers increased 68 percent to $17.4 billion, and...