During National Agriculture Week, the Maryland Soybean Board is highlighting the important role animal agriculture plays in both Maryland’s economy and the healthy food choices available to consumers.
Agriculture is Maryland’s number one industry, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing billions of dollars to the state’s economy. Poultry, beef, pork, and aquaculture production are key parts of that success, helping provide nutritious, affordable food for families while supporting rural communities across the state.
Behind every chicken house, cattle pasture, hog barn, and oyster farm are Maryland soybean farmers who grow the crops used to feed those animals. Soybeans are one of the most important ingredients in livestock and poultry feed. When processed into soybean meal, they provide a high-quality protein source that helps animals grow and thrive. In fact, the poultry industry is the largest market for Maryland soybeans, underscoring the close connection between the state’s grain farmers and its animal agriculture sector.
With an estimated $17.4 billion economic impact across the Delmarva Peninsula, the poultry industry is the largest agricultural revenue driver for Maryland. Chicken growers across the Eastern Shore produce high-quality food enjoyed by families throughout the United States and around the world. Maryland soybean farmers are an important part of that system, growing crops that are processed into feed used to nourish those birds.
Animal agriculture is also an important part of a healthy diet. Foods like chicken, beef, pork, seafood, eggs, and dairy provide complete protein along with essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12—nutrients that support muscle development, energy, brain health, and overall wellness.
“Maryland’s soybean farmers are proud to grow the crops that help feed the animals producing food for our families,” said Eddie Boyle, Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. “It’s a connection many consumers may not see, but it’s an important part of how our food system works.”
The partnership between grain farmers and animal producers supports a wide range of local businesses—from feed mills and equipment suppliers to transportation companies and veterinarians—helping strengthen rural communities and keep farmland in active production.
Many of Maryland’s farms have been family-owned for generations, with farmers working year-round to care for their land, grow crops responsibly, and raise animals that help feed people across the country.
“As we celebrate National Agriculture Week, it’s a great time to recognize the many farmers working together to produce the food we enjoy every day,” Boyle remarked.
Maryland farmers grow nearly 500,000 acres of soybeans each year, producing more than 20 million bushels annually. Valued at nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans rank among Maryland’s top crops and play an important role in supporting the state’s broader agricultural sector. The Maryland Soybean Board administers the soybean checkoff program in the state, investing in research, education, and market development to strengthen opportunities for Maryland soybean farmers. To learn more about the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.
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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526 | danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com