In a state widely known for its agriculture, a new report shows just how much of an impact the industry has on Ohio's economy.
Ohio's food and agriculture industry ranks sixth in economic impact with an output of $254.2 billion, according to a study from www.FeedingTheEconomy.com.
The sector supports 1.6 million jobs, $64.7 billion in wages and $28.8 billion in taxes in Ohio. It also contributed $3.9 billion in exports.
California had the highest economic output at $968.3 billion, followed by Texas ($594.9 billion), Illinois ($347.1 billion), New York ($340 billion) and Florida ($319.3 billion).
Rounding out the top 10, Pennsylvania had the seventh highest economic output at $252.3 billion, followed by Georgia ($239.3 billion), Wisconsin ($206.9 billion) and North Carolina ($203.4 billion).
The Wyoming received the lowest output from the sectors at $12.5 billion, followed by Washington D.C. ($13.5 billion), Rhode Island ($16.2 billion), Vermont ($17.1 billion), West Virginia ($19.6 billion), Alaska ($19.7 billion), New Hampshire ($22 billion), Delaware ($22.7 billion), Montana ($24.4 billion) and Maine ($25.8 billion).
Nationwide, the food and agriculture industry supports 45.6 million jobs with total wages of $2 trillion.
The sector also contributed $913.1 billion in taxes and $154.4 billion in exports. Overall, the sector has a $7 trillion economic impact.
"While more and more Americans are becoming interested in the food they eat, we must ensure they know the value of what farmers and ranchers do," Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said in a statement. "Everyone can benefit from knowing of the great contributions of agriculture to our economy, to our rural communities, to our security, to our culture and yes, to our natural resources. We need resources like the Feeding The Economy.com report to better tell this story."
Among the study's sponsors include American Soybean Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Corn Growers Association and United Fresh Produce Association.
The report analysis includes indirect and induced economic activity surrounding the food and agriculture sectors.
"A lot of people don't understand the significant effects agriculture has on their lives. The more resources farmers and ranchers have at their disposal to help connect with folks in their community and talk more about the economic significance of farming and ranching, the more those much-needed conversations can take place," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota.
Digging deeper, nationally the food and agriculture industry contributed:
The study was commissioned by a group of 23 food and agriculture organizations.