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Ag Innovation

Greater Des Moines, Iowa, knows agriculture. It’s in our roots and it’s in our future. The Greater Des Moines region is invested in leading ag innovation forward, which is just one of the reasons why major companies do business here.

Ag innovation in Greater Des Moines is bold, ambitious and visionary. We’re doing something greater in agriculture and the world benefits, as we lead the nation in production and ag employment. Greater Des Moines is home to critical transportation infrastructure: major interstates, rail networks and the DSM International Airport. It has access to expansive farmland, raw materials and a skilled agriculture, bioscience and technology workforce. These are a few reasons the region is called America's Cultivation Corridor.

Ag Innovation Industry Overview

Get an overview of the ag innovation industry in our most recent report for the Greater Des Moines region.

Leading in Ag

Greater Des Moines industry leaders in agribusiness, agbioscience, precision agriculture and biorenewables come together to lead the effort on feeding and fueling the world. Iowa is the nation's top producer of corn, eggs and red meat (including pork). It is also the top producer of fuel ethanol and biodiesel and ranks second in the production of soybeans. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, Iowa held the following rankings in 2024 among 50 states.

#1 Highest Concentration of Agricultural Technicians

#3 Highest Concentration of Animal Scientists

#5 Most Soil and Plant Scientists

#3 Highest Concentration of Agricultural Equipment Operators

#1 Highest Concentration of Food Scientists and Technologists

For 11 consecutive years, Iowa State University's (ISU's) agriculture programs have been named to the top 4 percent worldwide among other agriculture and forestry institutions (QS World University Rankings, 2024). ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences supplies the state with a diverse incoming workforce related to food, the environment, human health, animals, global resource systems and more.

Partially Refundable research and development tax credit of 6.5%

First state to pass a renewable chemical tax credit — TEConomy Partners, LLC

#1 Highest Concentration of Food Scientists and Technologists (Iowa) — Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Why PowerPollen Chooses Greater Des Moines

PowerPollen engineers new technologies to improve seed production and increase agricultural productivity through more effective cross-pollination.

Major Ag Innovation Companies in Greater Des Moines

Leading ag-tech and bioscience companies in America's Cultivation Corridor contribute to the innovation ecosystem, including:

Ag Express Electronics

Algae Biomass Organization

B&G Foods

Big Grove Brewery & Taproom

Bud & Mary's

Gross-Wen Technologies

Helena Industries

Ihle Fabrications, LLC

i2-tech

John Deere

Kemin Industries

Landus

Lely North America

Lola's Fine Hot Sauce

MetaFuel

Michael Foods

Mrs. Clark's Foods

Osmundson Manufacturing

PowerPollen

Premier Tech

Spraytec

Ten Corp Inc./Cattlemen's Heritage

Vermeer Corporation

Flourish in Greater Des Moines

Learn how ag innovation companies can optimize their plans for growth in DSM. Connect with Stacie LoVan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, to learn more about doing business in Greater Des Moines.

slovan@DSMpartnership.com | (515) 286-4971

Tax Advantages & Incentives

Tax credits and incentives pave the way for new businesses and help existing ones stay profitable.

Talent and Workforce

Greater Des Moines is the fastest growing major metro in the Midwest and the region's ability to attract talent supports business growth.

Economic Development Services

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the region's economic and community development organization and works with collaborators to deliver opportunities for businesses.