Indiana leads the nation in popcorn production (2024)

FAQs

Where does Indiana rank in production of popcorn? ›

That's because in 2021, Indiana took the top spot in the nation's popcorn production. Traditionally, Nebraska is the top producing state followed closely by Indiana. In 2021, over 97,000 acres of popcorn stalks were planted; an 8 percent increase from the previous year. Isaac Duckworth is a farmer in Morgan County.

Data released by the USDA shows that Indiana planted over 97,000 acres of popcorn in 2021. The Hoosier State upped the amount of land it dedicated to popcorn by about 14,000 acres from 2017-21. Indiana's rich history with popcorn is deeply tied to Orville Redenbacher, who was born on a farm in Brazil, Indiana, in 1907.

Indiana produces more than 20% of the United States' popcorn supply. In a typical year, almost half of all cropland in Indiana is planted in corn.

Nearly all of the world's popcorn production is in the United States, with 25 states growing the crop. Over one fourth of the national production is in Nebraska, and Indiana produces only slightly less. Other major popcorn-producing states are Illinois, Ohio, and Missouri.

Van Buren bills itself as the “Popcorn Capitol of the World.” The largest local employer is the Weaver Popcorn Company; accordingly, its most famous annual event is the Popcorn Festival, held each August. Joseph Boxell platted Van Buren Township in 1837. Martin Van Buren was the United States president at the time.

The majority of the popcorn grown and sold worldwide comes from the Midwest, in an area known as the Corn Belt of the United States. In the Midwest, the summers are long and hot, which allow enough time for growing the crop.

Indiana is the country's top producer of popcorn, gourds and duck, the No. 2 producer of pumpkins, and No. 3 producer of spearmint and turkeys. Hoosier farmers are also a top-five producer of soybeans, corn and hogs.

In a typical year, almost half of the cropland in Indiana is corn.

Popcorn Indiana was started by a team of folks out of the Northeast, and named after the small town of Popcorn, Indiana. These ready-to-eat popcorn pioneers created Popcorn Indiana to embody the small midwestern spirit of its namesake.

Since maize was the common American "corn," it took that name – and keeps it today. It is believed that the first use of wild and early cultivated corn was popping. The oldest ears of popcorn ever found were discovered in the Bat Cave of west central New Mexico in 1948 and 1950.

Where is the popcorn capital of the world? ›

At least six localities (all in the Midwestern United States) claim to be the "Popcorn Capital of the World;": Ridgway, Illinois; Valparaiso, Indiana; Van Buren, Indiana; Schaller, Iowa; Marion, Ohio; and North Loup, Nebraska.

The United States is by far the biggest consumer of popcorn and we make more than anywhere else, but popcorn is gaining popularity in other parts of the world.

The New York Times described him as "the agricultural visionary who all but single-handedly revolutionized the American popcorn industry". Brazil, Indiana, U.S.

Popcorn is an unincorporated community in Perry Township, Lawrence County, Indiana.

Indiana ranks as the nation's No. 2 producer of popcorn, behind only Nebraska, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Orville Redenbacher was the king of popcorn.

The United States is the No. 1 producer and consumer of popcorn in the world. “Americans are estimated to eat 15 billion quarts of popcorn every year,” Foley said. “Very little popcorn is imported into the U.S. We produce and eat more popcorn than any other country.

“Corn is a predominant crop in Indiana due to the climate, landscape and productive soils.

Indianapolis is the state capital of Indiana although the city of Corydon was the state's capital until 1825.

Where Popcorn is Grown. Corn for popping is also called Zae mays Everta, and includes a hundred different strains, that produce various levels of fluffiness in the popcorn when they are popped. The most popular type for eating plain or with butter and salt looks a lot like a snowflake.

Is popcorn healthy? ›

Popcorn is a healthy snack when it's air-popped and served without ingredients high in fat, salt, or sugar. Popcorn is high in important nutrients, including fiber. Popcorn is one of the world's healthiest and most popular snack foods.

Indiana growers planted a record high 97,000 acres of popcorn in 2021, up 3,000 acres from 2020. A record high total of 96,000 acres were harvested, up 2,000 acres from last year. The 2021 average yield set a state record at 52.0 cwt per acre.

Indiana continues to rank near the top nationally in the production of corn, soybeans, popcorn, blueberries, peppermint, spearmint, processing tomatoes, fresh market melons, and vegetables for processing. Indiana livestock producers put our state's rank at the top for hogs, chickens, eggs, and turkeys.

Iowa is the largest producer of corn in the United States.