Agriculture in Arkansas
ZIP codes in our Arkansas data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is the backbone of Arkansas's economy and its largest industry, spanning row crops, poultry, cattle, and forestry. The fertile alluvial soils of the eastern Delta and the pastures and orchards of the Ozark and Ouachita highlands give the state a wide range of farming opportunities. For growers and gardeners, Arkansas offers a long, warm growing season and a strong network of Cooperative Extension support.
Farming in Arkansas
Arkansas is the nation's leading rice producer, and rice, soybeans, cotton, corn, and grain sorghum dominate the flat, well-watered fields of the eastern Delta. Poultry is the state's largest agricultural sector, with broiler chickens, turkeys, and eggs concentrated in the northwest, and cattle and calves are raised on pastures across the highlands and elsewhere. Aquaculture is notable as well, with the state ranking among the top producers of farm-raised catfish and baitfish. Timber, especially pine, covers much of the southern and western portions of the state and supports a large forest-products industry.
Climate and growing conditions
Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, along with ample rainfall spread through much of the year. The frost-free growing season is long, commonly running from roughly early spring into late autumn, which supports both warm-season row crops and home vegetable gardens. USDA hardiness zones range from about 6b in the higher elevations of the northwest Ozarks to about 8a in the far south, so gardeners should check their local zone before planting.
Major agricultural products
- Rice
- Soybeans
- Broiler chickens and other poultry
- Cotton
- Cattle and calves
- Corn
- Farm-raised catfish and baitfish
- Timber (pine)
Hardiness zones in Arkansas
Growers in Arkansas fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Arkansas
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Arkansas
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (80 counties):
Market prices & data for Arkansas
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.