It's a truism that most U.S. farmers don't want to fill out government surveys. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, is asking 36,000 ag producers across the country to complete a survey that NASS says will help it better prepare for the upcoming 2022 Census of Agriculture.
The 2017 Census of Ag, the most comprehensive source of data on U.S. farmers and agriculture, was released in the spring of 2019. The widely watched Census, updated every five years, influences ag in many ways, including helping to shape government farm policy and helping farmers and ag businesses to better allocate their resources.
According to NASS:
The 36,000 ag producers recently received 2022 Census of Ag "Content Test materials." The test which runs through spring, will help ensure that all segments of U.S. ag are represented in the Census itself.
Test participants are asked to provide information on the effectiveness of the 2022 questionnaire for various modes of data collection, including mail, telephone interviews, and online reporting. NASS will consider all test results on content and modes of data collection for incorporation into the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
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“NASS conducts statistical research to continually improve the quality of agricultural data, while also reducing the time and effort for producers responding to surveys,” Census and Survey Division Director Barbara Rater. said in a written statement. “The Content Test collects data directly from producers to help ensure that future census data are as accurate as possible. Participation in this test is vital to the success of the upcoming agriculture census.”
NASS stressed that it keeps all responses confidential and uses them for statistical purposes only. Anyone who needs assistance completing the Content Test survey can call 888-424-7828. More information about the Census of Agriculture itself can be found at https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus .
