Greater Omaha: A Full-Stack Agricultural Innovation Ecosystem
Greater Omaha sits at the center of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world — and the innovation engine driving it forward. Nebraska ranks 2nd in the nation for cattle and 6th for hogs, and the region’s food manufacturing and processing sector has grown nearly 20% over the past five years. With growers, producers, and processors operating at this scale, ag innovation companies don’t pilot in theory here — they deploy into a live agricultural economy, with direct access to the end users and operational environments that compress development cycles and accelerate market validation.
The region’s workforce runs deep across every discipline the sector demands, anchored by the University of Nebraska System’s nationally recognized research programs in agricultural, biological, and engineering sciences. Greater Omaha carries significant workforce volume and above-average specialization across:
- Ag processing & production — animal slaughtering and meat processing, farm equipment manufacturing, and poultry processing, with earnings well above national averages
- Animal health & life sciences — veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines, diagnostics, animal nutrition, and life science R&D, with regional growth rates in pharmaceutical talent running more than triple the national pace
- Biological product & chemical manufacturing — biological product development, specialty chemical manufacturing, and industrial biotechnology
- Precision agriculture & agtech — farm management software, data analytics, GPS-guided equipment, automation and robotics, and sustainability and climate solutions
- Engineering & technical trades — biological, chemical, mechanical, and industrial engineering alongside manufacturing and industrial trades supporting ag equipment and processing operations
Greater Omaha offers the infrastructure, talent, regulatory environment, and live agricultural economy that ag innovation companies need to build, scale, and lead. Whether you are an established equipment manufacturer seeking your next production location, an animal health company developing your next product line, or an emerging agtech company ready to scale — Greater Omaha is where that next chapter belongs.
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Featured Articles
- Target Industry News: Agriculture & Biotech
Seeing Opportunity: Why GoodLife Agriculture Is Expanding in Greater Omaha
Most people see salmon and think coastline. GoodLife Agriculture saw Nebraska. In an industry long anchored to oceans and ports, the company recognized something others may overlook: the greatest opportunity wasn’t along the coasts; it was closer to the customer. That belief is now taking physical shape
- Target Industry News: Agriculture & Biotech
Lincoln Premium Poultry: Why Greater Omaha Works for Large-Scale Food Processing
When Costco Wholesale set out to build its first fully integrated poultry operation, the company needed more than land and incentives. It needed a location capable of supporting a complex, high-volume food processing operation with long-term reliability. After evaluating sites
- Agriculture, General News, Growth Consultation, Target Industry News: Agriculture & Biotech
$20M Omaha Steaks Expansion Reinforces Omaha’s Role in Advanced Food Production
A $20 million investment now underway in Omaha is reinforcing the region’s reputation as a hub for advanced food production and long-term business growth. Omaha Steaks recently broke ground on a 40,000-square-foot cold pasteurization facility that will bring a critical
“Nebraska is well-suited to helping us build global production for our products, not least because of the state’s green energy and renewable feedstock, well-known fermentation talent, and ample room to expand.”
Neil Goldsmith
“Our Cargill Blair campus is truly a biotechnology oasis that attracts companies… who want to join other leading-edge companies looking for a skilled workforce and other resources to grow their businesses quickly, safely and effectively.”
Christy Venne
By the Numbers
Greater Omaha’s Competitive Edge
Employers
Major AgTech Business Employers in Greater Omaha
Omaha’s Advantage
The Right Place to Grow
Greater Omaha offers key advantages your business needs to expand and succeed.
Targeted Business Incentives
Discover why priority industries thrive in Greater Omaha, with industry-specific tax advantages, tailored incentives, and sector expertise creating the perfect environment for specialized growth.
Competitive Workforce
With a population of 1 million and a workforce 500,000 strong, Omaha delivers the specialized talent, skills, and training programs your industry demands, all while providing exceptional quality of life.
Industry-Optimized Sites
The right location accelerates your industry’s growth trajectory. Omaha offers specialized sites configured for the unique operational requirements of your sector.