2017 Census of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics (NASS) Census of Agriculture is conducted every 5 years. This is the year! The goal of the Census of Agriculture is to get an accurate and total picture of Agriculture in the United States. The summarized data is used by researchers, trade associations, farmers and finally policy makers in Washington D.C. in developing farm assistance programs.

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Michael Petefish said "I know it's pretty tempting to just toss the survey out with the junk mail, but it's also important we have access to programs that can help us on the farm. Having a complete picture of agriculture helps us ensure those programs are available." The Census of Agriculture has been done every 5 years since 1840.

If your farm sold or normally would have sold more than $1000 of agricultural products in 2017 you are included in the Census of Agriculture. Farmers can fill out the Census on line or by mail. The deadline for responding to the Census id February 5, 2018. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204 (g) Public Law 105--113. The same law requires NASS to keep all the information confidential and only publish the data in aggregate form.