Illinois Agriculture: Where Innovation Takes Root

 

At the cornerstone of American agriculture stands Illinois. And today, the state blends its agricultural impact with technological innovation to create the future of food—driving productivity and sustainability.

With world-class infrastructure, a tech-forward ecosystem, and a collaborative business environment, Illinois is the go-to destination for global agribusiness leaders seeking a competitive edge.

By the Numbers: A Thriving Agribusiness Powerhouse

Illinois is home to:  

• 408+ ag and agtech companies, #4 in the U.S. and #1 in the Midwest  

• 2.1K+ food manufacturing facilities, #5 in the U.S. and #1 in the Midwest  

• $13.6B in agricultural commodity exports, #3 in the U.S.  

• $12.9B in food processing GRP, housing the 2nd largest food processing cluster in the U.S.  

Showcasing scale, these numbers also invite opportunity. Illinois has created an ideal environment for food and ag innovators—from precision agriculture to biomanufacturing and everything in between.

Precision Meets Production in Illinois

Over 50% of Illinois farms use precision agriculture technology today—a strong indicator of the sector’s growing adoption of advanced and emerging tech. The state is also home to the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, where cutting-edge R&D turns commodities into commercial solutions.  

Already home to industry giants, this innovative climate makes Illinois an exceptional location for agtech startups, food science labs, and bioscience firms looking to build the future of food, too.

Where Agtech Takes Action: Illinois’ Biomanufacturing and Fermentation Sectors

Illinois is investing deeply in biomanufacturing and fermentation-based ag solutions, positioning itself at the forefront of climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. The Illinois Fermentation & Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub, backed by a $51 million federal EDA Tech Hub grant, is accelerating commercialization for startups and established players alike.  

A Workforce Tailor-Made for Tomorrow

Illinois graduates more agriculturally-skilled students than any other state in the Midwest—2,567 grads from 44 institutions in 2023 alone, ranking #3 nationwide.  

Beyond talent quantity, the state is #1 in the U.S. for agricultural feedstock and industrial biosciences employment, providing an immediate pipeline for agtech and food processing firms ready to scale.

A Dynamic Supply Chain You Can Count On

Illinois offers one of the most localized and resilient food production supply chains in the U.S., with 59% of supply chain purchasing able to be sourced in-state, outpacing those such as California and Texas.  

This centralization means less risk, faster fulfillment, and a smoother pathway from raw goods to product delivery.

Why Illinois for Your Company?

Illinois’ ecosystem is built for long-term agribusiness success, offering:  

• Incentives that matter: EDGE tax credits, R&D credits, and the $114 million INVENT fund to scale early-stage innovation  

• Public-private collaboration: From policy support to research partnerships, Illinois fosters a spirit of shared growth (and success)  

• Global access: Centrally located with world-class air, rail, road, and port, Illinois gets your product (and your people) anywhere…fast 

• Quality of life: From Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois workforce lives well—thanks to a state committed to affordability, equality, and diversity

Plant Your Roots in Illinois’ Agtech Ecosystem

Illinois is the premier business destination to grow crops and companies. Discover how your organization can thrive in the heart of America’s next-gen agriculture ecosystem: Get in touch with our team today.