Iowa’s farmers will soon have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their industry and communities by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them.

Short Video from Secretary Perdue

The Census remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation and looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics. Farm and commodity organizations, state departments of agriculture, elected representatives and legislators at all levels of government, public and private sector analysts, news media, community-based organizations, and USDA  agencies all routinely use data from the Census of Agriculture for a wide variety of purposes. They use the information to:

  • Promote the agricultural industry.
  • Formulate, evaluate, change, and propose policies and programs that help farmers.
  • Identify services and facilities needed in rural communities.
  • Develop and improve methods to increase agricultural production and profitability.
  • Allocate local and national funds for farm programs (including extension service projects, conservation programs, farm loan programs, research, and land grant universities).
  • Develop grant proposals to address rural and agricultural issues.

NASS will mail out Census forms in mid-December, to collect data for the 2017 calendar year. Completed forms are due by February 5, 2018. Producers can fill out the Census online via a secure website at www.agcensus.usda.gov, or return their form by mail. 

Federal law requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential. 

For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-888-424-7828.