The U.S. Department of Agriculture is notifying farmers and ranchers that they have until the end of June to ensure that they can participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Those who have not been contacted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service can visit the Census of Agriculture website to ensure that they are included.
“Responding to the census has never been easier,” said NASS Census and Survey Division Director Barbara Rater. “It is our hope that producers will become familiar with the online census questionnaire demo, like it, and return to report online when responding to the Census of Agriculture later this year.”
The website also includes a census introduction video, answers to frequently asked questions, and past data. There is a demo for the online census questionnaire for those who are interested in learning more about the experience. The updated version of the questionnaire will go live late fall.
The census defines a farm as any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced or sold, or normally would have been sold, during 2017.
“The definition includes millions of farmers, ranchers and producers – rural and urban – and it is vital that all are represented in this complete count endeavor every five years,” Rater continued. “Their voices show the nation the value and importance of agriculture, and help influence decisions that will shape the future of American agriculture for years to come.”
More information on this year’s census can be found by visiting www.agcensus.usda.gov, or by calling 800-727-9540.