Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed an invitation to all known agriculture producers across Oregon and the nation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at agcounts.usda.gov. By completing the survey, Oregon producers can tell their story and help generate opportunities that better serve current and future generations of farmers.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture will be mailed in phases, with paper questionnaires following in December. Producers need only respond once, whether securely online or by mail. The online option offers timesaving features ideal for busy producers. All responses are due Feb. 6, 2023. Farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022, are included in the ag census.
Conducted every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census of Agriculture helps provide a complete picture of American agriculture. It highlights land use and ownership, producer characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, among other topics. For 2022, new questions about the use of precision agriculture, hemp production, hair sheep, and updates to internet access questions are included.
“The Census of Agriculture is so important because it provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. Through the ag census, producers can show the value and importance of Oregon and U.S. agriculture and influence decisions that will shape the future of their industries,” says Dave Losh, Oregon State Statistician.
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 information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release the results of the ag census in early 2024.
To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. Follow @usda_nass on Twitter for the latest information.
George Packing Company is looking at new products, from spreads to confectioneries, to market and sell Oregon hazelnuts. These efforts are enabling consumers to enjoy hazelnuts in ways not previously imagined. Northwest Hazelnut Company Sales Director Aaron McGraw spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Pacific Nut Producer about some of the latest goods coming out of R&D. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
