A new study shows a $6.9 billion increase in agriculture’s contribution to South Dakota’s economy since 2014.

Decision Innovation Solutions did the study and drew on data generated by the Census of Agriculture conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture now contributes $32.5 billion annually to South Dakota’s economy, up from $25.6 billion. Agriculture accounts for 33% of South Dakota’s total economic output.

The number of agriculture and agriculture-related jobs increased from 115,651 in 2014 to 132,105 in today. This represents 22% of all jobs in South Dakota.

“This study is very encouraging,” says South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Kim Vanneman. “It’s been a tough couple years for folks in agriculture with unpredictable weather and tough markets, but these numbers show that the heartbeat of agriculture is strong, and our future is bright. Thanks to the innovative and hard-working men and women in all parts the industry, agriculture continues to grow in South Dakota.”

Read the full study online.

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