Agricultural Census Being Conducted in 2008

February is not only the month of romance and love but this year February is the month for the Farmers' and Ranchers' Census. We all know about the national census held every ten years in the United States but few of us are aware that farmers are required to enter information for the agricultural census. Results will be published in 2009. The agricultural census began in 1790 and every five years the US Department of Agriculture conducts the census to gather vital information that will impact the future of farming. At a recent Farmers and Small Ranchers Conference held in September 2007, it was stressed that all farmers complete the census in order that new policies and programs can be formulated based upon the data received. Having once lived in the Garden State, New Jersey, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for farmers and I hold them in high regard because of the difficulty and unpredictability of their occupation.

Who must complete the census?
The Federal government considers any land that produces or sells more than $1000 or more of agricultural products to be a farm or ranch. Forms have been mailed out to farmers and ranchers and can be completed by mail or online for the first time since the inception of the agricultural census. In the last agricultural census in 2002, there were complaints lodged with the Department of Agriculture stating that minority farm owners as well as native American farmers were not fairly represented in the collected census data. As a result, active and aggressive outreach is being done to ensure that this mistake will not be repeated. Authorities are hopeful that as a result of the widespread advertising and mailings to farmers and ranchers that the responses will more accurately reflect the current status of our agricultural sector. Farmers in all 50 states, District of Columbia , Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are required to participate. The census must be completed by February 4, 2008 but outreach will be done during the months of February and March to those respondents who have not yet completed the census.

Purpose of Census
The purpose of the census is to determine the needs of farmers and ranchers. Collected data will help the Department of Agriculture to assess such questions as what kind of equipment is needed by farmers in certain locales, identify the concerns of farmers and ranchers, and most importantly, help formulate legislation and farming policies for the agricultural community. Results of the census will impact agricultural planning ranging from helping local county extension offices deliver needed services to obtaining operational loans for agricultural programs. Therefore, it is imperative that all ranchers and farmers take a serious approach to the completion of the census. Approximately three million surveys have been sent to farmers in the required geographic areas. The questions on the questionnaire are updated for each census to ensure that accurate and current data is being collected. New this year, is a section on the questionnaire related to organic farming because of its growing popularity.

Further Assistance
For anyone needing assistance in completing the survey, help is readily available. If a census survey has not been received, you can call toll free (888)424-7828 or visit the website www.agcensus.usda.gov. Confidentiality of the information received is ensured and will not be disclosed or shared with other Federal, state or local agencies according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Census Results
Census results will be published in 2009. One regional director of a field office of the US Department of National Agricultural Statistics Service states that the estimated time to complete the 24 page survey is 50 minutes; 35 minutes for the 12 page survey sent to farmers who produce row crops. The US Department of Agriculture will disseminate the census results in February 2009 in print and electronic formats. An active media campaign is being conducted in agricultural publications and spot television announcements to encourage required participation in the farming community. Farmers, stand up and be counted!