+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| ![](media/image1.jpe           | **News Release**                    |
| g){width="3.079861111111111in" |                                     |
| height="1.2506944444444446in"} | **Pennsylvania Field Office**       |
|                                |                                     |
|                                | [***www.agcensus.usda.gov           |
|                                | ***](http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/) |
|                                |                                     |
|                                | ***Contact: USDA, NASS-PA Field     |
|                                | Office***                           |
|                                |                                     |
|                                | ***717-787-5147                     |
|                                | nass-pa@nass.usda.gov***            |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**      | **Contact:** Marc Tosiano           |
|                                |                                     |
| **December 15, 2007**          | \(717\) 787-5147                    |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

**'tis the season to be counted**

**U.S. Farmers Give the Gift that Keeps Giving By Participating in 2007
Census**

HARRISBURG, PA -- The end of December is typically marked by crowds of
people returning holiday gifts that don't fit or won't work, but this
year farmers across the country and in Pennsylvania can give themselves
a gift that won't be returned and will keep on giving even after the
holiday season -- a voice for their industry and their community.

By filling out the 2007 Census of Agriculture farmers are investing in
the future of rural America. Their responses will provide law makers,
government organizations, town planners and individual farm operations
with valuable information used to plan for services, facilities and
other investments to benefit the industry and local communities.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census covers
virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture, providing a complete count
of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them.

"The holiday season is a time of giving and receiving, but perhaps some
of the best gifts are food, clothing and shelter provided to us with
help from our U.S. farmers," said Marc Tosiano, director of the NASS
Pennsylvania Field Office. "As many of us gather around the dinner table
with good food and good friends, these essentials for everyday living
often are taken for granted. By participating in the 2007 Census of
Agriculture, farmers can ensure the vitality of the agriculture industry
by providing a strong and unified voice about their needs and concerns."

The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics,
production practices, income and expenditures and other topics across
the country and in Pennsylvania, right down to the county level. NASS
will mail out Census forms on December 28, 2007 to collect data for the
2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by February 4, 2008.
Producers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, they
have the convenient option of filling out the Census online.

"Participating in the Census of Agriculture is one gift Pennsylvania
producers can give themselves and their local communities this holiday
season," added Tosiano. "It's a valuable investment into the future and
well-being of agriculture and to the local communities here in
Pennsylvania."

For more information about the Census, visit
[www.agcensus.usda.gov](http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/) or call toll-free

\(888\) 4AG-STAT or (888) 424-7828. The Census is your voice, your
future, and your responsibility.

\###