Census of Agriculture Web Site Goes Live

September 13, 2007 — 

Information on the 2007 Census of Agriculture is now only one click away at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov. The new web site is a clearinghouse created by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to provide farmers, ranchers and the rest of the agricultural community with the latest news and information about the upcoming Census.

"The Census site is part of our ongoing effort to accommodate the growing number of farmers and ranchers that are using the Internet," said NASS Administrator Ron Bosecker. "Taking that effort even further, this year will mark the first time that producers have the option of filling out their Census forms online, saving both time and postage costs."

NASS will mail out Census forms on December 28, 2007 to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. This mailing will include instructions on how to log in and respond to the Census via a secure web connection. Whether they chose to respond online or by mail, producers are asked to return their completed Census forms by February 4, 2008.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Census is a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation.

"Census web site visitors can find answers to frequently asked questions about the Census and can access data from previous counts, dating all the way back to 1840. In addition, those wanting to plan ahead can download a draft of the actual Census form and begin pulling together the information they'll need to respond," said Bosecker.

Source:
USDA News Release