If you like sorghum syrup on your biscuits, you’re in the right state. Tennessee is the leading state in the production of sweet sorghum.

No other state harvests as many pounds of sweet sorghum or plants as many acres of the crop as Tennessee. The state is second in the number of farms growing sorghum for syrup.

Tennessee is also the second-leading state in the number of farms raising quail, the number of farms raising goats and the total number of goats, mules, burros and donkeys.

“Tennessee is certainly no stranger to production agriculture, generating more than $2 billion in gross farm receipts each year,” said Rob Holland of the Agricultural Development Center at The University of Tennessee.

“But the state may be traditionally known for ranking among the nation’s top producers of tobacco, soybeans, poultry and beef cattle,” Holland said. “While these commodities contribute significantly to the overall agricultural economy in the state, Tennessee is home to an extremely diverse agricultural landscape.”

Tennessee is the third-leading state in the number of farms with ducks and the number of farms raising other poultry.

Tennessee ranks fourth in the number of farms with horses and ponies, the number of farms with bees and honey, the number of farms growing blackberries and the number of farms raising hay.

Tennessee is fifth in the number of pounds of tobacco produced and the number of horses and ponies.

“While still relatively small when compared to more traditional agricultural enterprises, the enterprises in which Tennessee ranks as a national leader could serve as a springboard for success with value-added products for niche markets,” Holland said.

For additional information on niche markets and value-added enterprises, visit the Web site of the Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA) at http://cpa.utk.edu/ or contact CPA by phone (931) 486-2777 or by e-mail at cpa@utk.edu.