Feb 15, 2023

USDA still seeks Census of Ag data from farms, ranches

The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to accept information for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, despite the deadline passing, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which compiles farm and ranch data for the census every five years.

NASS will continue to accept census questionnaires through the spring to allow all farmers and ranchers to submit data.

“Since data collection began last fall, over a million ag census recipients across the country have returned their questionnaires, ensuring their operations and communities are represented,” NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer said in a news release. “We want all producers to use their voices to help shape the future of American agriculture. Census data inform decisions about policy, farm and conservation programs, infrastructure and rural development, research, education and more.”

NASS will continue to follow up with producers through the spring with mailings, phone calls, and personal visits. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to complete their ag census online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail as soon as possible.

Federal law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113 mandates that everyone who received the 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire complete and return it, even if they are not currently farming. The same law requires NASS to keep all submissions confidential, use the information for statistical purposes only, and publish aggregate data to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation.

NASS will release the results of the ag census in early 2024. To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. On the website, producers and other data users can access frequently asked questions, past ag census data, special study information and more.