In our new ongoing assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Purple zone in western United States.
Alaska: A scant 1% of Alaska is used for farming.
Just over half of farms in the state, 54%, house livestock. The main focus is on processing dairy products, followed by cattle and hogs.
The remaining 46% of farms in Alaska grow hay, potatoes, barley, and oats.
The harsh climate makes surviving in Alaska a crapshoot to begin with.
After looking at these numbers, we advise brigadiers to stock up well on canned/dried goods before planning their escape routes.
California: Though top-ranking in crop production, only 27% of California is dedicated to farming.
27% of state farms house livestock. The primary focus is on dairy products, then cattle and eggs.
The majority of farms in California produce a wide range of crops—grapes, almonds, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes…the list goes on and on.
California ranks #1 in production within the United States for the following products: Almonds, avocados, broccoli, celery, dairy products, grapes, greenhouse plants, hay, lemons, lettuce, onions, peaches, pistachio nuts, plums, strawberries, tomatoes, and walnuts.
If you’re in California, stay there. Set your sights on Central California, where the majority of produce and cattle farms, and chicken farms are located. There’s more than enough variety in food to keep survivors healthy for a long time.
Oregon: Approximately 28% of Oregon is dedicated to farmland.
28% of farms in the state produce livestock—cattle, dairy products, chicken eggs, and chicken.
The remaining 72% primarily grow greenhouse plants, hay, ryegrass, and wheat. However if you know where to look, you may also find onions, potatoes, pears, cherries, blackberries, and grapes.
Oregon ranks #1 in production within the United States for the following: hazelnuts, ryegrass, blackberries, and fescue.
This is another well-rounded state as far as variety of products goes. Plot your escape routes to hit as many farms as possible to stock up.
Washington: 36% of Washington is utilized for farming.
Only 30% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on processing dairy products, followed by cattle, and aquaculture.
70% of Washington farms produce crops like apples, wheat, potatoes, hay, cherries, and grapes. Washington ranks #1 in production within the United States for the following: apples, asparagus, cherries, hops, Kentucky bluegrass, mint, and pears.
There is plenty of variety in products available in Washington, which is a good thing. Folks from nearby states may need to find their way to Washington in order to find enough food to get by.
Idaho: Only 22% of land in Idaho is used as farmland.
58% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on processing dairy products, cattle, aquaculture, and sheep.
The remaining farms, 42%, grow crops such as potatoes, wheat, hay, sugar beets, and barley. You can also find onions, dry beans, apples, and sweet corn grown in the state.
Idaho ranks #1 in potato production. They also are the largest producer of rainbow trout—grab your fishing poles, guys.
Montana: Over half of the state, 65%, is dedicated to farming.
57% of farms in the state house livestock, with the vast majority focusing on cattle, followed by dairy products, hogs, and sheep.
43% of Montana farms produce crops like wheat, barley, hay, and sugar beets. If you know where to look, you may also find potatoes, cherries, dried beans, and oats at farms throughout the state.
North Dakota: The majority of North Dakota, approximately 89%, is used for farming.
Only 23% of farms in the state house livestock—primarily cattle, dairy products, and hogs.
77% of North Dakota farms are dedicated to growing crops like wheat, soybeans, grain corn, sugar beets, barley. With some searching you can also find farms growing potatoes. North Dakota ranks #1 in production within the United States for the following: flax seed, canola, dried peas, barley, dried beans, lentils, and oats.
Though boasting a vast amount of farmland, most of the products available in North Dakota require extra processing to be edible, which won’t help any of us on the run. Grab what you can, but plan to escape to a resource-rich state.
There you have it, the products available from the Purple Zone. The West Coast is full-to-bursting with produce. California alone could feed the entire Zombie Survival Crew for quite some time. Keep these states in mind when plotting your escape routes.
In our new ongoing assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Light Blue Brigade’s zone in the central United States.
Iowa:
Nearly the entire state is utilized as farmland, totaling approximately 89%.
Half of the farms in Iowa raise livestock, with a focus on hogs, cattle, dairy products, and eggs. The other half of farms in the state produce grain corn, soybeans, hay and greenhouse plants. Now very good for gathering supplies on the run.
Iowa ranks #3 in the country for total agricultural production, though most produce is grown to feed livestock. The state ranks #1 in grain corn and hog production. We suggest grabbing what meat you can safely store and moving on to a state with more variety in produce.
Kansas:
A total of 90% of Kansas is dedicated to farmland.
Approximately 68% of farms in the state house livestock—primarily cattle, hogs, and the production of dairy products.
The remaining 32% of Kansas farms grow crops ranging from wheat, grain corn, and hay, to soybeans, sorghum grain, and cotton. Kansas ranks #1 in sorghum and hay production.
This is another state with crop production focusing mainly on maintaining their livestock. Gather what you can and move on quickly to another state.
Missouri:
68% of the land in Missouri is set aside as farmland.
About 53% of farms in the state raise livestock, housing mainly cattle and hogs, as well as facilities to manufacture dairy products.
The remaining 47% of Missouri farms focus on growing soybeans, grain corn, cotton, wheat, and hay.
In the right season, you may be able to find potatoes, apples, and watermelons. Don’t bank on it, though.
Oklahoma:
Over 77% of Oklahoma is utilized as farmland.
The vast majority of farms in the state, 79%, raise livestock, focusing on cattle, hogs, and chicken.
Only 23% of Oklahoma farms grow crops, mostly wheat, greenhouse plants, cotton and soybeans.
You may be able to find peanuts, watermelon, and peaches—try to plot your escape routes to pass through these farms.
Arkansas:
Less than half of Arkansas is dedicated to farmland, approximately 43%.
63% of the farms in the state raise livestock, with a focus on chicken, cattle, and chicken eggs.
The remaining 37% of Arkansas farms grow mostly rice, soybeans, cotton, grain corn, and wheat. In smaller quantities they grow tomatoes, peaches, and blueberries.
Arkansas ranks #1 in the United States for rice production, and #2 for production of channel catfish and bait fish.
Texas:
Approximately 68% of land in Texas is dedicated to farming.
67% of state farms house livestock, with an obvious focus on cattle. They also produce chicken, eggs, and dairy products.
37% of Texas farms grow crops such as cotton, greenhouse plants, grain corn, hay, and wheat. If lucky, you can find a farm growing onions, potatoes, and cabbage to go with your beef on your quest to survive.
Texas ranks #1 in total livestock production, and #1 in total cattle production in the United States. The state also ranks #1 in cotton and cabbage production.
Louisiana:
Only 28% of the state is used as farmland.
39% of state farms house livestock, including cattle and aquaculture (fish, shellfish, etc.). Some of these farms likewise process dairy products.
61% of Louisiana farms produce crops ranging from Sugar cane, to rice, soybeans, cotton, and grain corn. You may also find sweet potatoes, peaches, and watermelon grown in the state.
There it is, folks. These are the resources available in the Light Blue Zone. A lot of the focus in the area is on livestock. We suggest grabbing what foods you can and make your way south to the more resource-rich states.
In our new ongoing assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Yellow Brigade’s zone in the mid-west.
Wyoming:
Just over half of the land in Wyoming is dedicated to farmland.
86% of farms in the state raise livestock and process livestock products. Cattle are the primary product, by a large margin. Hogs and sheep can also be found if you know where to look.
The remaining 14% of farms grow crops. While the top crop is hay, Wyoming also offers sugar beets, barley, dry beans, and wheat.
Make a pit stop for meat and hope you find a farm with edible produce on your escape routes. You’re not going to find a lot of variety, but at least you’ll have food.
Nevada:
Only 9% of Nevada is used as farmland.
68% of Nevada farms house livestock, with a focus on cattle and dairy products.
32% of the farms produce crops, with a large focus on hay.
You can also find onions, potatoes, wheat, and garlic at select locations.
Utah:
22% of Utah is used as farmland.
A vast majority, roughly 79%, of the farms in the state raise cattle, hogs, sheep, and process dairy products.
21% of Utah farms grow crops. The top two products are hay and green house plants. However, you can still find wheat, onions, and apples on your way through the state.
Nebraska:
An overwhelming portion of Nebraska is utilized as farmland, approximately 93% of the state.
The majority of farms raise livestock. The main livestock is cattle, followed by hogs.
The remaining 38% of Nebraska farms grow grain corn to feed the cattle, soybeans, wheat, hay, and dry beans.
While this state is rich in farms to visit on your escape routes, the variety of food leaves much to be desired. There are few crops that will sustain humans for the long-term after the zombiepocalypse.
Colorado:
Just under half of the land in Colorado is used as farmland.
76% of farms in the state raise cattle and hogs. Colorado is the number one producer of lamb and sheep for consumption in the United States.
24% of Nebraska farms grow crops. The top two commodities are grain corn and greenhouse plants. However, you may still find wheat, potatoes, onions, and dry beans at farms on your way to safe haven.
Arizona:
Approximately 36% of the state is farmland.
47% of Arizona farms house livestock, with a focus on cattle on dairy products.
The remaining farms grow lettuce, cantaloupes, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Despite the temperatures, Arizona produces a wide variety of food that should sustain survivors for a decent amount of time.
New Mexico:
Over half of the state, about 58%, is dedicated to farmland.
A large majority of farms house livestock and process livestock products. The main focus is on dairy products, cattle, and sheep.
22% of New Mexico farms grow crops ranging from pecans to chili peppers, corn, onions, and wheat.
Like its neighbor, Arizona, there is just enough variety in produce and livestock to keep survivors in the state fed for a while.
It would be wise to find ways to preserve or dry meat, since it is the most prevalent commodity.
Hawaii:
Just about 32% of the island state is farmland.
Only 17% of Hawaiian farms raise livestock, focusing on cattle, dairy products, and chicken eggs.
The majority of farms, roughly 83%, grow crops. There is quite a bit of variety, including pineapple, sugarcane, macadamia nuts, papaya.
Hawaii is the only state to grow the following: Coffee, bananas, ginger root, guava, macadamia nuts, papaya, pineapple, and taro.
This means once the zombies take over, the rest of the U.S. can kiss these items goodbye. Life without coffee? Start stocking up now, guys!
There you have it, the resources available to brigadiers living in the Yellow Zone! This zone has a wide range of food available to them. Other brigades should take note and consider these states for their ultimate safe haven.
For our newest assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Blue Brigade’s zone on the Northeast coast:
Maine:
Only 7% of the land in Maine is used for farmland.
60% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on dairy products, chicken eggs. Aquaculture is also important—cultivating fish, shellfish, and other aquatic species.
The remaining 40% of Maine farms grow crops ranging from potatoes, to blueberries, apples, and corn.
We suggest grabbing as many potatoes as you can carry. They have vital nutrients and do not spoil quickly if kept in a dry, dark environment.
New Hampshire:
A small percentage of New Hampshire is utilized for farmland—roughly 8%.
44% of the farms are used for livestock, with cattle, dairy products, and chicken eggs being the most prevalent.
56% of New Hampshire farms are used for crops. The main focus is on greenhouse plants, however many farms also produce apples, sweet corn, and maple products.
Don’t linger long in the state. Route your escape routes to hit a couple farms, then head to a state with a wider variety of food available.
Vermont:
21% of the land in Vermont is farmland.
The majority of farms in the state—85%—house livestock or create livestock products. By far, the number one commodity in the state is dairy products.
Only 15% of Vermont farms produce crops.
The main crop is greenhouse products, not very useful. However you can still find apples, sweet corn, and maple products in the state.
Massachusetts:
A scant 10% of the state is dedicated to farming.
23% of the farms house livestock, with a focus on dairy products, cattle, and seafood.
The remaining 77% of Massachusetts farms focus on producing greenhouse plants, cranberries, sweet corn, and apples.
Grab what food you can on your way out of the state. The supplies won’t last for long.
New York:
A quarter of the land in New York is used as farmland.
63% of the farms house livestock, with the main commodity being dairy products, followed by cattle and chicken eggs. New York is the only state producing duck for consumption.
37% of New York farms produce crops. You’ll be able to find apples, onions, potatoes, and cabbage on your way to safe haven. The state ranks second in apple production.
Grab a duck, some apples, and an onion to roast together. Dang, I made myself hungry.
Rhode Island:
Approximately 9% of the small state is utilized as farmland.
15% of Rhode Island farms house livestock. The main focus is on dairy products and cattle.
A vast majority of the farms produce greenhouse plants. However, you may be able to find sweet corn, potatoes, and apples if you know where to look.
Grab and go, guys. Rhode Island isn’t large enough to sustain large numbers of survivors.
Connecticut:
Only 12% of the state is used for farmland.
34% of Connecticut farms focus on dairy products, chicken eggs, and seafood.
The remaining 66% of farms in the state grow greenhouse plants, sweet corn, and apples. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find farms with peaches, pears, and mushrooms.
There you have it, the local resources housed in the Blue Zone. This isn’t a resource-rich area farming-wise unless you are near the coast and are able to fish. Take extra care when plotting your escape routes. Make sure to hit a few farms on your way through to a safe haven.
The main concern during the zombie apocalypse is food rations. A person can only carry so much food with them. A two week supply at most, and even then their go bag may become too heavy to carry on the run from the undead. The Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we found for the Red Brigade’s zone on the east coast.
Pennsylvania:
Approximately 27% of the state is comprised of farmland.
68% of the farms raise livestock or process livestock products (dairy, eggs, etc.). The top product in the state is dairy.
Only 32% of Pennsylvania farms produce crops. Most of the farms are greenhouses, growing plants, not produce. The second top crop in the state are mushrooms.
When preparing your escape routes, make sure each one passes by a farm to gather supplies.
New Jersey:
Approximately 17% of the state is farmland. You really want to keep an eye out for possible food sources, here.
22% of the farms raise livestock and/or process livestock products. However, most of them raise horses and mules. Dairy farms are the second most prevalent after horse ranches.
78% of New Jersey farms grow crops, with a majority producing greenhouse and nursery products. Blueberries and peaches are second and third in produce production.
We suggest brigadiers in the state do not linger long. The sparse resources will vanish quickly.
Delaware:
Approximately 42% of the state is farmland.
80% of the farms raise livestock and/or process livestock products. Chickens compromise 73% of livestock products.
20% of Delaware farms grow crops, primarily focused on grain (feed) corn for livestock, and soybeans.
Grab a cage of chickens on your way out of town, and pack extra cans of vegetables.
Maryland:
Approximately 33% of the state is farmland.
58% of the farms in Maryland raise livestock and process livestock products. Chicken is the primary livestock product. You guys need to grab some cages, too.
42% of Maryland farms grow crops. However with a focus on greenhouse products, soybeans, and grain corn, pickings are scarce.
We recommend you grab a few chickens and head toward a state with more variety in crops.
West Virginia:
Only 23% of West Virginia is dedicated to farmland.
82% of the farms raise livestock, with chicken and cattle being the most prevalent.
17% of West Virginia farms grow crops. Most of it is hay and grain corn.
You can’t haul a cow around, but if you know how to butcher your own meat and have a place to store it (or dry it), go ahead and take down a cow. Keep an eye out for apple orchards in the fall and load up on the nutritious fruit.
Virginia
34% of Virginia is farmland.
66% of the farms house livestock. Chicken, cattle, and dairy are the leading products in the state.
33% of the farms grow crops. Variety of produce is slim.
Try to find a farm growing tomatoes, wheat or apples.
North Carolina
Approximately 29% of North Carolina is farmland.
65% of those farms produce livestock, with hogs and chicken being the most prevalent.
The 35% of farms growing crops mostly focus on greenhouse plants, tobacco, and cotton.
You may be able to find some sweet potatoes, blueberries, and cucumbers if you know where to look on your escape route.
South Carolina:
Only 25% of South Carolina is farmland.
56% of those farms house livestock—primarily chicken, turkey, and cattle.
The remaining 44% of South Carolina farms grow greenhouse plants, tobacco, cotton…the list of non-food items goes on.
Try to plot your escape routes to hit the few farms growing peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.
There you have it, the Red Zone and all it has to offer for food sources. Take a look at the farms around you and start plotting your escape routes.
Just over half of farms in the state, 54%, house livestock. The main focus is on processing dairy products, followed by cattle and hogs.
28% of farms in the state produce livestock—cattle, dairy products, chicken eggs, and chicken.
Only 30% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on processing dairy products, followed by cattle, and aquaculture.
58% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on processing dairy products, cattle, aquaculture, and sheep.
Only 23% of farms in the state house livestock—primarily cattle, dairy products, and hogs.
Only 7% of the land in Maine is used for farmland.
