Study: Agriculture plays vital role in Utah economy

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<strong>LOGAN (AP) -</strong> A Utah State University study shows agriculture plays a vital role in Utah’s economy.

The study found that farmers, support industries and food processors contributed $17.5 billion to the state’s economy in 2011, or 14.1 percent of the total.

It also found that agricultural production and processing directly and indirectly generated 78,000 jobs and income of about $2.7 billion in the state.

The study was released Friday at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food offices.

Study co-author Paul Jakus says most people tend to think of the industry in terms of growing crops and raising cattle and overlook the processing sector, which includes plants where dairy and meat products are made.

The food processing sector accounts for 15 percent of all manufacturing jobs in Utah.

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