Farm Jobs in Minnesota

Minnesota's agriculture industry generates $112 billion in total annual economic impact through farms, agricultural production, and processing industries. The state's agricultural sector produces $17 billion in farm gate sales annually and supports 431,000+ jobs statewide, making agriculture one of Minnesota's economic pillars. The state's 67,100 farms span 25.4-26 million acres (50% of Minnesota's total land area), with an average farm size of 388 acres. Minnesota ranks #4 nationally in total agricultural production and #4 in agricultural exports ($9.2-9.3 billion annually). Minnesota leads the nation in sugar beet production, a title held for over 30 years, producing 12.6 million tons annually (33% of all U.S. sugar beets) valued at $6 billion and supporting 30,000+ jobs through three farmer-owned cooperatives. The state is also America's #1 turkey producer (a distinction held for 70+ years), raising nearly 34 million birds annually—one in five commercially grown turkeys nationwide. Minnesota ranks #3 nationally in both corn (1.4 billion bushels from 8.2 million acres) and soybeans (329 million bushels from 7.4 million acres), contributing 9.4% and 8% respectively to total U.S. production. The state's agricultural diversity extends far beyond these leading commodities. Minnesota ranks #1 nationally in green peas for processing, #2 in sweet corn for processing, #2 in spring wheat (79.1 million bushels), #2-3 in hog production (8.5 million head valued at $3.6 billion), #3 in sunflowers, #4 in number of dairy farms (1,690 licensed herds), #5 in alfalfa hay production, and #10 in beef cattle. Minnesota is the world leader in cultivated wild rice production (7.1 million pounds, the official state grain since 1977) and maintains 650 organic farms covering 163,835 acres. The state's 9 distinct climate zones (USDA Zones 3a-5a) enable exceptional agricultural diversity, from potatoes and sugar beets in the Red River Valley to corn and hogs in southern regions to dairy in central Minnesota.

**Corn Farms**: Minnesota ranks #3 nationally in corn production with 1.4 billion bushels harvested from 8.2 million acres (9.4% of total U.S. corn production). Top producing counties include Martin County (45.7 million bushels, $635 million annual ag production), Redwood County (44.7 million bushels), Renville County (44.6 million bushels), Mower County (43.5 million bushels), and Faribault County (42.8 million bushels) in southern Minnesota. Corn farming offers seasonal employment during spring planting (March-May) and fall harvest (September-October) for equipment operators, grain handlers, agronomists, crop scouts, and farm managers. Minnesota is part of the top 4 corn-producing states (Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska) that together produce over half of all U.S. corn. The 2024 yield averaged 183.0 bushels per acre. **Soybean Farms**: Minnesota ranks #3 nationally in soybean production with 329 million bushels harvested from 7.4 million acres, contributing 8% of total U.S. soybean production. Southern Minnesota counties dominate production, with soybeans having expanded northward to the Canadian border due to climate adaptation. Notably, 7-8% of Minnesota's soybean fields produce food-grade soybeans for tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy sauce—a premium market. Employment peaks during spring planting (April-May) and fall harvest (September-October). Minnesota soybeans are a major export commodity ($2.2-2.4 billion annually) shipped primarily to China, Mexico, and Japan, supporting 52,000+ export-related jobs. **Sugar Beet Farms**: Minnesota has been the #1 sugar beet producer nationally for over 30 years, producing 12.6 million tons annually (33% of all U.S. sugar beets—roughly double Idaho's production). The industry generates $6 billion in economic value and supports 30,000+ jobs. Approximately 3,500 family farms grow sugar beets for three farmer-owned cooperatives: American Crystal Sugar, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, and Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. Production concentrates in the Red River Valley (northwestern Minnesota along the North Dakota border) and Minnesota River Valley. Sugar beet farming offers spring planting (March-May), summer cultivation and thinning, and fall harvest (September-November) employment for equipment operators, field workers, truck drivers, and processing plant workers. The Red River Valley's fertile soils from ancient Lake Agassiz sediment create ideal conditions. **Turkey Farms**: Minnesota is the #1 turkey producer nationally, a title first earned in 1959 and held continuously since the early 2000s (total of 70+ years at #1). The state's 650+ turkey farms raise nearly 34 million birds annually—one in five (20%) commercially grown turkeys consumed in America. The industry generates $1+ billion in production and processing value. Turkey farming offers year-round employment including growers managing contract flocks, processing plant workers, hatchery technicians, feed mill operators, catch crews, and farm maintenance staff. Operations are distributed statewide with concentrations near processing facilities in cities like Willmar and Worthington. Modern turkey barns feature automated feeding, watering, climate control, and monitoring systems. **Hog Operations**: Minnesota ranks #2-3 nationally in hog production with 8.5-9 million head generating $3.6 billion in cash receipts (2022), ranking #2 nationally in value of pigs raised. Minnesota is among the top 5 states (Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois) that collectively produce 70% of the nation's hogs. Operations concentrate in southern Minnesota. Hog farming provides year-round employment in breeding operations, farrowing houses, nurseries, finishing operations, and manure management. The industry requires barn managers, animal caretakers, veterinary technicians, and maintenance staff. Minnesota pork is a major export commodity ($814 million annually) shipped to Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and other markets. **Dairy Farms**: Minnesota ranks #4 nationally in number of dairy farms with 1,690 licensed dairy herds (2024), though the state has experienced consolidation with 315 farms lost in 2024. Central Minnesota, particularly Stearns County, leads the state in dairy production. The state dedicates 76% of central region farmland to livestock, poultry, and dairy operations. Dairy farming offers year-round employment including milkers, herdsmen, calf care specialists, equipment operators, and feed managers. Positions require knowledge of cow health, nutrition, milking systems, and manure management. Despite consolidation pressures, Minnesota maintains a strong position competing with Pennsylvania and Michigan for top 10 national rankings. **Processing Vegetable Farms**: Minnesota ranks #1 nationally in green peas for processing (53,400 acres harvested) and #2 in sweet corn for processing (93,100 acres producing 749,440+ tons). The state ranks #4 nationally for total major processing vegetables. These crops support a significant canning and freezing industry. Employment is highly seasonal during planting (spring) and harvest (June-August for sweet corn, summer for peas), requiring field workers, equipment operators, quality inspectors, and processing plant workers. Processing vegetable farming offers opportunities to work with specialized planting and harvesting equipment designed for these crops. **Wild Rice Operations**: Minnesota is the world leader in cultivated wild rice production, harvesting 7.1 million pounds from 10,000-20,000 cultivated acres. Wild rice is Minnesota's official state grain (designated May 27, 1977) and holds deep cultural significance to Native American communities. Minnesota has more acres of natural wild rice than any other state (found in 45 of 87 counties). The industry contributes $58.4 million annually and supports 600+ jobs. Wild rice farming involves specialized water management in paddies, with harvest occurring in August-September using unique equipment. Natural wild rice is also hand-harvested from lakes using traditional canoe and flailing methods, creating specialized seasonal employment. **Wheat Farms**: Minnesota ranks #2 nationally in spring wheat production with 79.1 million bushels harvested (yield: 67.0 bushels per acre in 2024). Hard red spring wheat is particularly suited to Minnesota's northern climate and is valued for its nutritional content. Wheat production concentrates in the Red River Valley region, known as the "Breadbasket of the World." Employment includes spring planting, summer crop management, and July-August harvest for combine operators, grain handlers, and truck drivers. Minnesota also produces significant oats (10.7 million bushels, record 82.0 bushels/acre yield in 2024) and barley (1.63 million bushels). **Cattle Ranches**: Minnesota ranks #10 nationally in beef production with 16,000+ beef operations maintaining approximately 537,000+ cattle (350,000 beef cows, 385,000 cattle on feed). The industry generates $2+ billion in annual sales with a total economic contribution of $4.9 billion supporting 47,300 jobs. Cattle operations offer year-round employment including ranch hands, calving crews, feedlot workers, fence and pasture maintenance, and hay crew. Minnesota produces 2.55 million tons of alfalfa hay annually (#5 nationally) on 680,000 acres to support livestock operations. The state also maintains 112,000 sheep and lambs plus 39,000 goats (13,000 dairy goats, 26,000 meat/other goats).