02/22/2026
What's the most surprising agricultural fact?
Here are some surprising agricultural facts¹ ²:
- Agriculture's Role in Fuel: Corn is used to produce ethanol, a biofuel that powers vehicles, and corn starch is also used in tire production.
- Agriculture in Personal Care: Toothpaste contains sorbitol, a derivative of corn, while cosmetics often use corn derivatives in products like lipsticks, powder, shampoo, and conditioner.
- Agriculture in Sports: Maintaining turf on sports fields and fabricating hardwoods for basketball courts require agricultural expertise. Footballs and baseballs are also made from animal hides.
- Agriculture's Economic Impact: The American agricultural industry contributed $1.109 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2019 and supported 19.7 million jobs in the ag and food sectors in 2020.
- Unlikely Agricultural Products:
- Natural Rubber: Rubber tires are made from rubber trees, with Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia accounting for 70% of global production.
- Industrial Products: Agricultural products are used in construction materials, adhesives, coatings, paints, and even pharmaceuticals.
- Clothing and Textiles: Cotton, h**p, ramie, and flax are used to manufacture clothing, while bio-based materials produce grooming products like skin creams and shampoos.
