Florida's Farmers, Ranchers Urged To Participate In Ag Census

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging the state's farmers and ranchers to watch their mail in early January for the arrival of the 2007 Census of Agriculture form.

"I urge all of Florida's agricultural producers to participate in the Census by completing and returning the form," Bronson said. "The input received by the Census helps shape the future of agriculture for years to come, and we want to make sure that the voices of Florida's farmers and ranchers are heard."

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 examines 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."Regardless of how large or small their operation or what kinds of products they produce, it's important for Florida farmers and ranchers to complete and return the form," Bronson said. "By participating in the Census, they will help themselves and their communities."

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail out Census forms on Dec. 28, to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by Feb. 4, 2008. Producers can return their forms by mail or fill out the Census online via a secure web site.

"The Census of Agriculture pro vides information that benefits agricultural producers and their communities in many ways," Bronson said. "For instance, policy-makers factor Census data into decisions concerning agricultural and rural programs. Community planners use Census data to target needed services to rural residents. Companies rely on Census data when determining where to locate their operations. And farmers themselves can use Census data to help make critical decisions about their businesses."

For more information about the 2007 Census of Agriculture, contact the NASS Florida Field Office at 407-648-6013 or 1-800-344-6277 or visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov.

What Is The Census of Agriculture?

The Census of Agriculture is a complete count, taken every five years, of America's farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the most complete agricultural data resource available, providing the only source of uniform, comprehensive information for every county in the nation. The census provides information on land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and many other important topics.