When most folks hear the word “Indiana,” they conjure up two things: the Indianapolis 500 and a never-ending sea of cornfields. While there’s some truth to the latter—corn is king across Hoosier farmland—the narrative deserves an upgrade. Indiana isn’t just a monoculture of corn and soybeans. It’s a quiet powerhouse in other crops you probably didn’t know were grown here in abundance.
“Indiana offers more,” said Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture. “We’re also a top producing state of watermelons, mint, cantaloupe, and tomatoes.”
Yes, you read that right. While your summer picnic might owe Iowa for the hamburger, there is a good chance your watermelon and the mint in your iced tea came straight from Indiana soil. That refreshing slice of cantaloupe or juicy tomato on your sandwich? Hoosier-grown, most likely.
Watermelon Capital of the Midwest
Southwestern Indiana—particularly Knox and Gibson counties—has long been known for growing some of the juiciest watermelons in the country. The sandy soil, long summer days, and dependable rainfall make it ideal for this warm-weather crop. And these aren’t second-rate melons either. Indiana melons are often shipped across the Midwest and beyond because of their high quality.
There’s More Than Corn in Indiana
Posey and Jasper counties have taken the lead in mint production, which might come as a surprise. That sweet, refreshing flavor that ends up in your gum, chocolate, or fancy cocktail? Likely distilled from Indiana-grown peppermint or spearmint. The state’s climate and soil are well-suited to grow this delicate crop, and local producers have quietly made Indiana a national leader in mint oil.
Cantaloupe and Tomatoes: Flavor Over Fame
Indiana cantaloupes, often overshadowed by their southern cousins, are another hidden gem. Grown mostly in the southwestern part of the state, they’re prized for their flavor and sugar content. And tomatoes—whether for processing into sauces and ketchup or sold fresh at farmer’s markets—are another major crop that often flies under the radar in conversations about Midwest agriculture.
Beyond the Cornstalks
Sure, corn and soybeans still dominate the state’s 15 million acres of farmland. But the growing diversity in crop production isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s economic strategy. Diversifying beyond corn monoculture reduces risk, stabilizes markets, and showcases Indiana as more than just another flyover farm state.
In the end, the next time someone writes Indiana off as “just cornfields,” correct them—politely or not. Remind them that this unassuming state is feeding America with more than just ethanol and livestock feed. It’s offering summer sweetness, minty freshness, and rich red tomatoes, all grown under the same wide Midwestern sky.
Because in Indiana, there’s a lot more than corn!