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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] The Issue: 2007 Census of Agriculture
  • Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:24:48 -0600


This is a message I received. I question the value of all farm programs from
the bureaucrats, and the issue of distribution of tax money to the big
industrial farms, AND the "pledge of confidentiality" which I don't believe
for a minute. When food rationing comes we'll see the real purpose of this
invasion of privacy.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net

---------------------

This update covers another timely and important issue, the 2007 Census of
Agriculture, which collects information about farmers and the value of
farm products produced in the United States.

The Issue: 2007 Census of Agriculture

What it means: The Census of Agriculture is a survey administered every
five years (currently by the USDA's National Agriculture Statistics
Service, NASS), and it is the only source of agricultural data broken down
for every state and county in the nation. Government organizations,
lawmakers, town planners and individual farm operations can use this
information to help them plan for future facilities, services and
community growth.

The Census of Agriculture must be completed by all farmers and ranchers,
regardless of whether they participate in government programs. For the
purpose of the Census of Agriculture, a farm is any operation from which
$1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or
normally would have been sold, during the Census year.

The Census form asks questions about the farm or ranch operation,
including land in production, production types and values, and producer
characteristics. The information given in the Census is confidential and
cannot be used for any purpose other than aggregate statistical
information. The Census does not ask about citizenship status of the farm
operator(s).

Census forms were mailed in December, and the due date for completed forms
was February 4, 2008, but NASS will continue to accept completed forms
through April. Producers can return their forms by mail or complete it
online.

Why it matters: Socially disadvantaged farmers, including minority and
immigrant farmers, have historically been undercounted by the Census of
Agriculture, which gives the government and the public has a poor
understanding of the type and quantity of socially disadvantaged
contributions to agriculture. Because many farm programs are implemented
based on the number of farmers counted by the Census of Agriculture, it is
essential that underrepresented communities get as accurate a census count
as possible to gain access to resources and programs targeted to them.

Through the Census, producers can show the nation the value and importance
of agriculture and they can help influence decisions that will shape the
future of American agriculture for years to come. By responding to the
Census, producers are helping themselves, their communities and all of
U.S. agriculture.

What to do:
If you received a form but did not complete it, do so! If you prefer to
submit your information online, you may do so here:
<http://www.agcounts.usda.gov/http://www.agcounts.usda.gov/ (You will
need the survey code printed on your paper copy.)

If you did not receive a form, but have an operation that meets the Census
definition of farm or ranch, you may request an identification code here:
<https://www.agcounts.usda.gov/cgi-bin/countshttps://www.agcounts.usda.gov/cgi-bin/counts

Where to find more information:
If you have questions about the Census, first check out the NASS
Frequently Asked Questions page:
<http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/

If you have specific concerns about how the Census data is protected and
used, NASS has published its confidentiality pledge here:
<http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/About_the_Census/Confidentiality_Pledge/index.asphttp://www.agcensus.usda.gov/About_the_Census/Confidentiality_Pledge/index.asp

To see how data can be queried and analyzed after it is collected by NASS,
check out 2002 Census Data at:
<http://www.nass.usda.gov/Data_and_Statistics/Quick_Stats/index.asphttp://www.nass.usda.gov/Data_and_Statistics/Quick_Stats/index.asp

If you have questions about Census Days in your area, or need assistance
in completing your Census form, Amy Saltzman with NIFI/Rural Coalition can
connect you with state-specific resources. Contact her at
<mailto:asaltzman@ruralco.orgasaltzman@ruralco.org or 202-628-7160.

Next time: USDA Reporting and Accountability

NIFI policy updates are produced by Amy Saltzman, a joint employee of the
National Immigrant Farming Initiative and the Rural Coalition. She may be
contacted at <mailto:asaltzman@ruralco.orgasaltzman@ruralco.org.


--
Policy Campaigns Coordinator
Rural Coalition
1012 14th St NW, Suite 1100
Washington DC, 20005
Phone: 202-628-7160
Fax: 202-393-1816






  • [Livingontheland] The Issue: 2007 Census of Agriculture, Tradingpost, 03/11/2008

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