Tennessee’s landscape is characterized by a diverse agricultural sector, supporting a variety of crop production due to its varied topography and climate. This natural diversity, ranging from low-lying delta regions to mountainous terrain, allows the state’s farmers to cultivate both high-acreage commodity crops and high-value specialty products. Agriculture remains a foundational element of the state, with farming operations spread across nearly 11 million acres of land.
Primary Field Crops
Soybeans and corn represent the largest acreage of planted crops in Tennessee. Soybeans lead in cash receipts, generating over $1 billion annually, and are planted on more acres than any other row crop, often exceeding 1.5 million acres. These legumes are processed into soybean oil for consumption and industrial uses, while the remaining meal provides a primary source of protein for the state’s livestock and poultry industries.
Corn is harvested on nearly a million acres for grain and silage. This crop is primarily used for animal feed, but it also contributes to the production of ethanol and various industrial applications. The state’s third major grain, winter wheat, is often grown in rotation with soybeans. This “double-cropping” strategy allows farmers to harvest two crops from the same field in a single year, optimizing land use and soil health.
Fiber and Specialized Horticultural Products
Cotton is a major fiber crop, especially in West Tennessee, and is the state’s number one agricultural export. Farmers harvested over 325,000 acres of upland cotton, generating hundreds of millions in cash receipts from the fiber used in clothing and textiles. The livestock industry necessitates forage production, with farmers dedicating over 1.7 million acres to hay, making it a leading crop in terms of acreage. This hay is crucial for supporting Tennessee’s large population of beef cattle.
Tobacco is still grown, primarily in the northern parts of Middle and East Tennessee, despite a long-term decline in production. Even with decreased output, tobacco still contributes millions to the state’s agricultural output. The nursery industry is a highly valuable sector, particularly concentrated in Middle Tennessee’s Warren County. This horticultural segment focuses on high-value products like ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennial plants, often eclipsing the cash value of traditional food crops in local economies.
Geographic Factors Guiding Crop Placement
The state’s division into three “Grand Divisions” reflects distinct geological and topographical features. West Tennessee, part of the Gulf Coastal Plain, is characterized by flat land and deep, fertile loess and alluvial soils deposited by the Mississippi River system. This environment is highly conducive to large-scale, mechanized farming and supports the majority of the state’s corn, soybean, and cotton production.
Middle Tennessee is defined by the Central Basin and the surrounding Highland Rim, featuring rolling hills and soils derived from limestone. The Central Basin’s rich, calcic soils are excellent for pasture and hay production, supporting the state’s extensive beef cattle operations. The area’s terrain also supports the concentrated nursery industry, while row crops like corn and soybeans are often grown on the flatter tracts.
East Tennessee is the most mountainous division, dominated by the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau. Agriculture here often focuses on specialty crops, vegetables, and tobacco in the fertile river valleys. Dairy and cattle farming are common on the hilly terrain, which is better suited for grazing than large-scale row cropping. The diverse soil types, including loamy and clay soils in the valleys, also support fruit and vegetable cultivation.
Economic Role of Tennessee Agriculture
Agriculture and its related industries contribute to the broader Tennessee economy, generating billions of dollars. The primary production sector, which includes crop and livestock sales, accounts for billions in annual cash receipts. This production supports a substantial workforce, with hundreds of thousands of people employed directly and indirectly across the agricultural and forestry complex.
The economic influence extends beyond the farm gate, supporting downstream industries such as food processing, manufacturing, and transportation. For instance, Memphis, in West Tennessee, serves as a major hub for commodity logistics due to its location on the Mississippi River. Crop and livestock production provides the raw materials that fuel these processing and export operations.