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Having read in the USDA Vegetables and Melons Outlook, that Colorado, North Dakota, and Nebraska are the top three states which produce pinto beans, you want to compare statistics for the three states.

1. Go to the CBP site at < http://www.census.gov/epcd/cbp/view/cbpview.html>. Although somewhat buried in American Fact Finder, you can click on Subjects A to Z at the Census home page, then scroll down to County Business Patterns. The CBP home page provides explanations of coverage, methodology, and viewing options.
2. Choose the link reading; View in Hypertext Tables (html) - U.S., States, Metro Areas, Counties, and ZIPs
3. Choose the desired geography. Remember that no maps appear in the CBP. Have a printed copy handy. County appears as a second choice after choosing state in the first go box.
4. A verification screen appears for the geography. Make a choice and click Submit.
5. The latest year’s data appears. So does a verification for year of choice. Change the year, or continue to scroll down.
6. The first two tables contain 2-digit NAICS codes and the most basic description of the economic activity.

7.      Select the most recent year available, 2004.

8.      Select NAICS code 42, Wholesale Trade.

9.      Scroll down to NAICS code 42451, Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers. Note the following statistics:

Now click on the "Compare" button and review the same statistics for Nebraska and North Dakota. You can now compare the same statistics for the 3 states of interest.