Time to Complete the Census of Agriculture

Every five years the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts the Census of Agriculture. This data on farm production and demographics is used to develop and shape farm programs. For example, the 2017 Census is expected to assist in:

further development of initiatives that benefit young and beginning farmers and ranchers; expand access to resources that help women, veteran and minority farmers and ranchers; and help farmers and ranchers diversify into new markets, including local and regional food systems, specialty crops and organic production

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Many of the expected benefits of the 2017 Census were identified in a 2017 Market Intel article: The 2017 Census of Ag is Nearly Upon Us. USDA began distributing the Census in December 2017 and the National Agricultural Statistics Service is expected to wrap up data collection via the paper questionnaire by June 15. Producers have until the end of July to complete the online Census, and USDA will conduct follow-up phone interviews with farmers and ranchers through July.

Currently, the Census of Agriculture response rate stands at 64 percent nationally. State-level response rates range from a low of 48 percent in Louisiana to over 70 percent in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin (Alaska’s response rate is over 80 percent).

Farmers have until the end of July to complete the Census online.