Agriculture in Alabama
ZIP codes in our Alabama data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture and forestry are cornerstones of Alabama's economy and rural way of life, supporting farms and processing operations across the state. Poultry production dominates farm income, while row crops, cattle, and catfish round out a diverse mix. For growers and gardeners, a long warm season and abundant rainfall make Alabama well suited to a wide range of crops.
Farming in Alabama
Broiler chickens are Alabama's leading agricultural product and one of the largest poultry sectors in the nation, with cattle and calves also raised widely across the state. Peanuts are a signature crop of the Wiregrass region in the southeast, and cotton remains an important row crop alongside soybeans and corn. West-central Alabama, particularly the Black Belt, is a major center for farm-raised catfish, and the state's extensive pine forests make timber and forest products a leading land use. Specialty crops such as peaches, pecans, sweet potatoes, and greenhouse and nursery plants add to the mix.
Climate and growing conditions
Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and generous rainfall spread through the year. The frost-free growing season is long, ranging from roughly 200 days in the north to well over 250 days along the Gulf Coast, which supports both spring and fall plantings. USDA hardiness zones run from about 7a and 7b in the northern mountains and valleys to 8a and 8b across the central and southern parts of the state, reaching 9a near the coast.
Major agricultural products
- Broiler chickens (poultry)
- Cattle and calves
- Peanuts
- Cotton
- Farm-raised catfish
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Timber and forest products
Hardiness zones in Alabama
Growers in Alabama fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Alabama
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Alabama
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (69 counties):
Market prices & data for Alabama
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.