The Agriculture Department’s National Agricultural Statistics Service started mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation’s farmers and ranchers this week (December 01, 2017). Mailing in phases, all census questionnaires should be received by late December. The deadline to respond is Feb. 5. Producers can respond online at www.agcensus.usda.gov (take advantage of new timesaving features and the convenience of being accessible on most mobile and desktop devices) or by mail.

Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by trade associations, researchers, policymakers, extension educators, agribusinesses and many others. The data can play a vital role in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development and more. The census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. Every response matters. Every voice helps shape the future of U.S. agriculture. For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540.

USDA news release