Illinois is home to 630 dairy farms — 562 of which are Grade A — and 35 dairy processing plants. The state’s central location, ideal landscape for raising cows and crops, and proximity to population centers make it a good place for both dairy farming and processing, according to those in the industry.
According to the Illinois Farm Bureau, 96% of farms in the state are family owned. And according to the Illinois Agriculture Association, 9,000 in the state have been in the same family for over 100 years.