Census of Agriculture questionnaire distributed in November

The 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire is being distributed in November by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Washington, D.C. The tally is taken every five years and looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.

The census is the “only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every county and state in the nation,” according to the USDA.

“The 2022 Census of Agriculture is just around the corner,” Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D. undersecretary for research, education, and economics, and USDA’s chief scientist, says. “To all our partners helping to promote the ag census, thank you, USDA could not do it without you. In my 20 years of work in agriculture, I can tell you that the value and impact of ag census data affects everyone. We want to make sure that everyone who makes up our strong and diverse ag community is counted. The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future and your opportunity.”

Data from the census is used to inform the general public and help to guide policymakers on legislative and funding decisions.

“The Census of Agriculture provides us with vital information on beginning farmers including demographics and types of farm enterprises established. We rely on this data to inform us of beginning farmer trends. All farmers, especially beginning farmers, need to respond to the census survey to help guide not only policy but also supportive funding structures,” Sridharan Sethuratnam, Ph.D., director of the California Farm Academy, Center for LandBased Learning, says.

Read more about NASS.