Agriculture in Ohio
ZIP codes in our Ohio data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is one of Ohio's largest industries, spanning tens of thousands of family farms across the state's fertile plains and rolling hills. From the flat, highly productive soils of the northwest to the diversified farms of the east and south, Ohio growers supply grain, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops to regional and national markets. This mix matters to both commercial producers and home gardeners, who benefit from a long agricultural tradition and strong Cooperative Extension support.
Farming in Ohio
Corn and soybeans are Ohio's dominant field crops, planted on the majority of the state's cropland, with winter wheat also widely grown, often in rotation. Livestock and animal products are a major part of the farm economy, and Ohio ranks among the leading states for egg production, along with significant dairy, hog, cattle, and poultry operations. The state is also known for greenhouse and nursery products, floriculture, and specialty crops such as processing tomatoes grown in the northwest and maple syrup produced in the northeast. Farming character ranges from large mechanized grain and livestock operations to smaller diversified farms, market gardens, and Amish and Mennonite communities that maintain traditional practices.
Climate and growing conditions
Ohio has a humid continental climate with warm, moist summers and cold winters, and precipitation is generally spread through the year. The frost-free growing season typically runs from roughly mid to late spring through early to mid fall, lasting on the order of 150 to 190 days depending on location, with Lake Erie moderating temperatures along the northern edge. USDA hardiness zones across the state generally fall between about 5b in the cooler northeast and higher elevations and 6b in central and southern areas, with the far southern Ohio River valley trending toward the warmer end of that range.
Major agricultural products
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Winter wheat
- Dairy products
- Eggs and poultry
- Hogs
- Cattle
- Greenhouse and nursery products
Hardiness zones in Ohio
Growers in Ohio fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Ohio
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Ohio
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (88 counties):
Market prices & data for Ohio
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.