Ag Census Benefits a Wide Audience

The ag census is currently being collected by the USDA and the agency is trying to encourage as many producers as possible to participate.

Barbara Rater, Director of NASS's Census and Survey Division, said there are many people who use the information.

“The decisions that are being made everyday, not just by local governments but by state governments, federal governments. The decisions that are being made that impact their existence and their day-to-day life are nourished by the information that’s going to be gathered by the census of agriculture.”

Universities and researchers also use the data in their work as do commercial businesses who need to make decisions on their future.

Rater said it also helps producers on the local level.

“Let’s say they’re looking to take a different direction on their farm. This information could help inform their own decision making in terms of how they’re going to market their commodities, crops or livestock.”

The deadline to fill out the ag census is February 5^th.