It’s time for the Ag Census once again.
The Ag Census is upon us. Questionnaires from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) were mailed starting the last week in November. The census collects info on the country’s ag industry. The USDA mailed out over 3 million Ag Census questionnaires for those in the ag industry to be able to tell their farm or ranch’s story, and to collect data on the industry. Explore the details of the 2017 Ag Census below.
Ag Census History
The U.S. Department of Commerce conducted the first Ag Census in 1840 as part of the Sixth Decennial Census of Population. For 150 years, the Dept. of Commerce conducted the census. In 1997, the USDA took over the task of collecting data on the nation’s ag industry. The Ag Census is taken every 5 years, collecting info and numbers on ag data about the land, crops and livestock, the farmers and ranchers themselves, and much more.
The info collected is released after two years—the data collected during this Ag Census will be released in February 2019. The information is used by a variety of entities and groups: farmers and ranchers, companies, government organizations, community leaders, and more to help inform them on decisions about the future of ag.
Your Task: Complete the Ag Census
A questionnaire is mailed out to all in the ag industry who are known to the USDA to grow or raise over $1,000 a year in crops or produce, or be able to do so. Responses are required by law. Respondents have until February 8th, 2018, to return their forms, either by U.S. mail or online.
The USDA’s NASS is able to answer any questions you may have, either through their posted Q&As or by contact them.
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.
