Look at the map below. Corn and soybeans are among Minnesota’s top crops. They are used for a wide variety of products, from animal feed to human food to ethanol gas to ink. In 2017, Minnesota was third in the nation for soybean production and fourth for corn production.

In the map below, the corn states are colored red, the soybean states are blue, and the states that grow both are purple. Try clicking on the Top 10 Corn & Soy States, then Farm Resources, then Climate Regions. Now look at the lists of top soybean and corn states. Using information from each of the three map levels and their clickable regions, explain why these states are the best for growing soybeans and corn.