1 Talking About NASS

A guide to help partners 

and stakeholders of the 

National Agricultural 

Statistics Service (NASS) 

communicate more 

effectively about the NASS 

mission and the value 

of our important work to 

producers, the ag industry, 

local communities, and 

our nation.

Version 3. June 2022

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Talking About NASS
Table of Contents

USING THIS GUIDE 1

UNDERSTANDING THE NASS MISSION AND MESSAGE 2

Our Steadfast Mission 2

Our Strategy: What Are We Trying to Convey? 3

Target Audiences: Who Are We Speaking To? 4

The NASS Core Message is Clear 5

Additional Messages: What Else Are We Saying? 5

DESCRIBING THE VALUE OF NASS DATA TO ITS USERS IN 30 SECONDS 6

TALKING TO DATA PROVIDERS 9

Notes and Localized Talking Points 16

SHARING THE FACTS ABOUT NASS 17

What NASS is and What it Does 17

Who Uses NASS Data? 19

Notes and Localized Talking Points 22

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, 

offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 

national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign 

Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the 

Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a 

Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested 

in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-

7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Talking About NASS 1

UNDERSTANDING THE NASS MISSION AND 

MESSAGE

Refer to this section for information on what NASS does and doesn’t 

do, as well as what we want key audiences to understand about our 

work and how it affects them.

DESCRIBING THE VALUE OF NASS DATA TO ITS 

USERS IN 30 SECONDS

Use these points to quickly and easily illustrate the value of NASS 

data to various target audiences.

TALKING TO DATA PROVIDERS

It is critical that data providers readily understand not only what NASS 

does, but why our work matters to them. This section provides points 

you can make during your discussions with providers. 

SHARING THE FACTS ABOUT NASS 

Turn to this section for clear and direct fact-based statements 

about what we do and how our data are used. You’ll find messages 

organized in tables by specific questions and topics, including:

f What NASS is and what the agency does.

f Who uses NASS data?

It includes information on the NASS mission, plus a library of key statements and 

talking points you can use. Refer to this guide before you speak with local producers, 

draft a technical report, or give a presentation to community leaders. The content is 

designed to be flexible, mixed and matched, and to help you tell the NASS story.

Below is direction on how to use each section of this guide:

This guide was designed for NASS partners and stakeholders – those 

who educate and engage on our behalf – as a hands-on tool to support 

communications of all kinds.

Using this Guide
2 Talking About NASS

OUR STEADFAST MISSION

The NASS Mission is to provide timely, accurate, and useful 

statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.

Our Core Values: 

 Trust – We maintain producer trust and protect the privacy and data of those who

provide personal and agricultural information, as required by law.

 Credibility – We maintain credibility among data users by issuing complete and

accurate information about agriculture.

 Objectivity/Statistical Independence – We produce and disseminate unbiased

statistical information on an equitable, impartial, and transparent basis.

 Policy Relevance – We provide high-quality statistical data essential for making

informed policy decisions.

 Commitment – We are committed as an agency and individually to these values

and are proud to serve American farmers and ranchers, rural communities, and 

all who rely on the information we produce.

As we fulfill our mission and embrace our core values, it is important to note what 

we do not do. 

NASS does not. . .

f Set policy

f Regulate activities

f Permit influence

f Disclose individual reports

f Favor any group above others

Understanding the NASS 

Mission and Message
Talking About NASS 3

OUR STRATEGY: WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO CONVEY?

We want to make sure you have the information you need to convey the importance of 

our work to individual producers, businesses, and stakeholders – and to do so in ways 

they care about.

Here are a few things we want you to know about NASS and share with others:

f NASS is part of the USDA. 

We are: 

̶Service-oriented

̶People-oriented

̶Ag focused and dedicated

̶An agency with a long history of service to the ag industry

̶Experts with deep knowledge and access to data

̶Stable government entities

̶An official, credible voice for the ag industry

f NASS data are “ingredients” for a host of products, services, decisions, 

and outcomes.

̶Farmers use NASS data to make informed business decisions.

̶Legislators use the data to develop policy.

̶Journalists use the data to tell stories.

̶Students use the data for research.

̶Insurance adjusters use the data for policies and claims.

̶Commodity traders use the data to make market moves.

̶USDA uses the data for program development, payments, and delivery.

̶Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the data to evaluate regulations and 

requirements.

̶National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members use 

the data to support state and local ag programs.
4 Talking About NASS

TARGET AUDIENCES: WHO ARE WE SPEAKING TO?

As a NASS partner or stakeholder, you communicate with a host of audiences. The two 

primary audiences are data providers and data users. 

Data Providers

They include large ag businesses, small-to-medium sized family-owned operations, and 

niche farms and ranches, whether rural or urban. NASS relies on them to complete 

surveys. Without them, we can’t do our jobs. But to inspire their participation, we need 

to give them good reason to take action.

Data providers are motivated by a mix of factors. They calculate whether or not it’s 

worth their time and effort to participate – which is referred to as a “value equation.” The 

stronger that value equation is (the more substantive reasons NASS can give them), the 

more likely they’ll be to participate. They will be motivated by practical aspects, such 

as the useful data and information that surveys yield and will also weigh factors that 

resonate deeply on a personal or emotional level (i.e., pride, loyalty, family, tradition, 

community). NASS relies on them to complete surveys. 

Data Users

Those who use NASS data are individuals, businesses, and organizations. They include 

large and small ag-based businesses, equipment manufacturers, service providers, 

researchers, policymakers, and community leaders – as well as data providers 

themselves. They are interested in and use NASS data for many different reasons. 

From industry reports to research and analysis to product inspiration and decisionmaking, NASS data are a key ingredient in a range of efforts. As such, individuals, 

businesses, and organizations add rich meaning, potential, and purpose to NASS data.

However, many who use NASS data do so through secondary sources and may not 

even realize the data originates from NASS. Highlighting this link and asking for proper 

citation by those who are making NASS data available to others will increase awareness 

of the connection between NASS and the data.
Talking About NASS 5

THE NASS CORE MESSAGE IS CLEAR

As the statistical agency for the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, NASS provides useful agricultural data to help 

you in your work.

But what do we mean exactly? 

Let’s break this concept down a bit. 

f “As the statistical agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture...” highlights 

the synergies between NASS and USDA and the official relationship.

f “Provides useful agricultural data to help you” supports the ingredient brand 

strategy. It describes and quantifies the type of data we provide. They aren’t just 

statistics. They are useful. It also alludes to an element of partnership and a mutually 

beneficial relationship. 

f “You” speaks to all audiences, whether it’s a data provider or data user. It’s 

flexible, pointed, and direct. There’s no mistaking who might benefit. The answer is, 

you will.

f “In your work” answers the question, “What’s in it for me?” Because NASS data 

are accurate, unbiased, and reliable, they can prove valuable for any ag-focused 

business; enabling them to be more competitive, locally and on a global stage. Plus, 

NASS data are available for free!

ADDITIONAL MESSAGES: WHAT ELSE ARE WE SAYING?

Completing out the census online is more convenient than ever. Launched in 2022, 

the new Respondent Portal is where producers can complete their surveys, track 

upcoming surveys, access data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA

agencies, and more. Online reporting is fast and secure; time-saving features include 

pre-filled information from previously completed NASS surveys, drop menus, automatic 

calculations and the skipping of questions that do not apply to your operation. Respond 

online through the portal at agcounts.usda.gov. 
6 Talking About NASS

HOW DO NASS DATA HELP FARMERS OR RANCHERS IN 

THEIR WORK?

Farmers and ranchers are able to use NASS data in direct and indirect ways. They 

may consult the data themselves to make better business decisions or use ag-based 

products and services that rely on NASS data. As an example, NASS crop production 

forecasts can help both livestock and crop producers make forward contracting, feed 

purchase, and other marketing decisions. In these cases, producers use concrete 

facts and figures to make well-informed decisions, which helps to eliminate guesswork, 

reduce risk, and improve profitability. In another example, information on the 

concentration of certain agricultural products and related supplies can help a new farmer 

determine where to start or expand their operation. It can also enable a business such 

as a trucking company to determine new routes. Brokers, accountants, lenders, market 

and investment analysts, appraisers, and others also use the data to serve producers

HOW DO NASS DATA HELP OTHERS WITHIN USDA IN 

THEIR WORK?

For other USDA agencies, such as the Farm Service Agency (FSA), turning to NASS 

data means that FSA staff can make solid market assessments, validate economic 

opportunities, and be better stewards of federal funds as they help hard-working farm 

families access billions of dollars in new credit, either directly or guaranteed through 

commercial lenders. Over the years, FSA assists more than 120,000 family farmers with 

loans in excess of $25 billion.

With the core brand message clear, we can add details and examples 

to promote the value of NASS data and its impact on specific audiences 

or users. This is how we apply brand messaging in the real world to 

talk consistently about NASS. Use these examples as references for 

describing how different audiences can “put NASS data to work....”

Describing the Value of 

NASS Data to its Users in 

30 Seconds
Talking About NASS 7

HOW ARE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL POLICYMAKERS ABLE 

TO PUT NASS DATA TO WORK? 

When policymakers use NASS data in their work, they have the facts and statistics they 

need to make well-informed policy decisions and to create budgets that will serve and 

benefit their agriculture constituents.

For example, one state used data to justify a governor’s commission to support the 

poultry industry and separately to support counties developing right-to-farm legislation. 

In another state, local farm supporters used NASS data to successfully advocate for a 

snow removal budget that ensured producers in their area, such as dairy farmers, could 

count on cleared roads for daily product transportation services to keep their businesses 

running.

State departments of agriculture universally use NASS data on behalf of farmers and 

ranchers to market agricultural products, create “buy local” programs, and interest 

international markets in local products. 

At the federal level, legislators use NASS data to determine service and infrastructure 

gaps. For instance, making the case for investment in broadband access and 

infrastructure requires an analysis of an area’s population and economic activities. 

NASS data can provide critical details and insights for rural and ag-based regions and 

facilitate the legislators’ analysis.

HOW ARE MANUFACTURERS ABLE TO PUT NASS DATA 

TO WORK?

When manufacturers turn to NASS data, they are able to identify market opportunities 

for new products and services. They can also better predict demand for those products 

and meet the supply needs of growers and producers. By using hard data to make 

informed decisions, they are in a better position to increase sales and improve profits.
8 Talking About NASS

HOW ARE “PRECISION AG” COMPANIES ABLE TO PUT NASS 

DATA TO WORK?

Precision ag companies have developed a range of products, software, and apps that 

improve farm management capabilities. They also use NASS data to develop their own 

data models, which pinpoint trends, inspire solution ideas, and identify opportunities 

to serve the ag industry. Having access to accurate and timely statistics keeps these 

companies in tune with and responsive to what producers want and need.

HOW ARE AGRICULTURE TRADERS ABLE TO PUT NASS DATA 

TO WORK?

Agriculture traders use NASS data to evaluate U.S. export potential, identify viable 

markets, analyze trends, and negotiate trades between buyers and sellers. Tapping 

reliable data strengthens their ability to provide important brokerage services and to 

become a valued business partner.

HOW ARE JOURNALISTS ABLE TO PUT NASS DATA TO WORK?

When journalists turn to NASS data to review trends and patterns in their area, they 

can identify topics that will be of interest to their readers. They can also draft more 

compelling stories that include community-based data and statistics of significance. 

In this way, journalists are better able to serve their audience and enable their media 

vehicle – be it a newspaper, radio station, or podcast – to be more relevant. In the 

process, they can often promote local agriculture and raise awareness about the current 

state of farming and ranching among non-agricultural residents.

HOW ARE RESEARCHERS ABLE TO PUT NASS DATA TO WORK?

A wide range of researchers, analysts, and other professionals use NASS data to 

answer challenging questions on such topics as crop management, chemical pesticides, 

land usage, and veterinary science. They refer to NASS data to identify and analyze 

emerging trends and issues, and assess their implications. They also use NASS data to 

align their work with industry needs, so they are able to advance their individual fields 

of study in meaningful ways. Many researchers also use NASS data to augment their 

own data collection efforts, to maximize their efforts, to apply for grants, and to establish 

education and extension programs that are appropriate for the needs and opportunities 

revealed by the data. Their research can result in producer benefits such as improved 

crop yields, new variations, and new technologies.
Talking About NASS 9

It is critical that data providers understand how NASS data can positively 

affect them. This section explains these important points and provides 

answers to other key questions they may have.

This column presents easyto-digest main points.

This column presents explanations to support the 

main points. 

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

You can put NASS 

data to work in a 

variety of ways.

NASS is the primary statistical agency for the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture. For more than 150 years, NASS has been known for 

its expertise, the quality of the data, its contributions to statistical 

science, and its commitment to publishing ag data that can be used 

in multiple ways by producers like you.

With NASS data, you will have accurate, free, unbiased, and reliable 

facts and figures to make well-informed decisions that eliminate 

guesswork, reduce risk, and improve profitability. For example, you 

may choose to incorporate NASS data into your decision-making by 

consulting survey or census data to:

f Determine crop and livestock productivity and yields in your area

f Track trends

f Set prices

f Improve operational efficiencies and reduce risk

f Negotiate cash rents

f Identify trends, best practices, and patterns that will enable you to 

be more competitive

f Analyze consumer demand for your ag-based products – be it 

foods that nourish a nation or wool that keeps us warm

f Make informed risk management decisions

Talking to Data Providers
10 Talking About NASS

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanations to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

NASS data affect 

every aspect of your 

business – even 

though you may not 

realize it.

Agriculture statistics have a powerful and far-reaching impact, 

although you may not realize the many ways that NASS data are 

used to support your business.

You are under constant pressure to improve yield, provide safe 

food, ensure nutrition, contain costs, and more. Many products 

and services you rely on daily to meet these goals are offered by 

businesses that use NASS data to guide their products, services, 

inventory, and prices.

For example, ag-based businesses use NASS data to:

f Determine product inventory to meet demand

f Develop new equipment and tools, or improve existing models

f Develop software and apps to advance farm management 

capabilities

f Calculate risk levels for lending programs

f Design studies for agricultural experiments to increase crop 

productivity and yields

f Improve their own ability to serve your business
Talking About NASS 11

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanations to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

Other USDA agencies 

use NASS data to 

support farm and 

community programs, 

such as crop 

insurance, that you 

depend on.

Other USDA agencies, such as the Risk Management Agency (RMA), 

use NASS data to provide services and support to farm and community 

programs in your region. 

As one example, RMA consults NASS data to develop and 

evaluate many crop insurance programs. In fact, NASS conducts 

surveys for RMA to help develop new insurance products. Without 

NASS data, their risk calculations would not accurately reflect 

your community’s needs. That might result in insurance premiums 

being too high (where you pay too much for insurance) or too 

low (where insurance claim totals don’t equal your true crop or 

production losses). Relying on credible and trustworthy NASS 

data means RMA is better equipped to develop risk management 

programs designed to more adequately protect you.

In another example, USDA uses NASS data to identify 

opportunities to strengthen the future of agriculture. When 

data showed 31% of American farmers are women who make a 

$12.9 billion impact on the economy, the agency established a 

Women in Ag mentoring network. Its goal is to help women in 

the U.S. connect with other women leaders in agriculture across 

the country. This will ensure that the next generation of women 

farmers are educated, encouraged, and empowered to take on 

the challenges of meeting the world’s growing food, fuel, and 

fiber needs. If you are a woman farmer, such programs affect and 

benefit you directly. 
12 Talking About NASS

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanations to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

As the statistical 

agency for USDA and 

an official source 

of comprehensive 

information, NASS 

data are used to 

support research, 

education, and 

advocacy for the 

future of agriculture in 

your region.

Governments and organizations at all levels use NASS data to develop 

agricultural education and research priorities and to advocate for 

farming and ranching among non-agricultural neighbors and groups. 

That means your local, state, and national leaders use NASS data to 

address agriculture-related issues that impact you directly. Regardless 

of where you live, researchers in such fields as bacteriology, genetics, 

biochemistry, dairy science, environmental studies, entomology, plant 

sciences, rural sociology, veterinary medicine, wildlife, and ecology all 

have access to and use NASS data to advance their studies. 

They use NASS data to:

f Answer challenging questions on such topics as crop management, 

chemical pesticides, land usage, and veterinary science 

f Detect trends in invasive pests or plant species, or in viruses and 

illnesses affecting livestock 

f Design studies for agricultural experiments to increase crop 

productivity and yields

f Evaluate the impact of climate and the environment on agriculture

f Understand the vital economic role of various ag industry sectors

f Promote the ag industry locally, regionally, and nationally

f Educate students about agriculture

f Pinpoint best practices for producers and promote their adoption

As one example, Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) Division 

of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources conducts 

research using NASS data and parlays findings into practical 

extension programs that help Oklahomans solve issues of 

importance to them, their families, and their communities. 

Having access to NASS data enables OSU to maximize its 

research efforts – critical to a public land-grant institution. So 

vital are NASS data to OSU’s ability to achieve its mission and 

serve Oklahomans, the University teamed up with USDA to 

promote NASS surveys and encourage producers 

to respond.
Talking About NASS 13

NASS data indicate the 

health and well-being 

of your community – 

which not only affects 

you, but also your 

friends, neighbors, and 

family members.

NASS data are evidence of the health and well-being of the 

agriculture industry in your community, and at the local level 

throughout your state. 

It is an indicator of how:

f Agriculture production in your area is thriving and where 

economic opportunities exist. 

f You and your neighbors are utilizing land and resources. 

f Producers are responding to or influencing food trends across the 

country and nourishing people around the world.

In this way, NASS data support the flow of goods and services in 

your region.

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanations to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

In service of the ag 

industry and on behalf 

of USDA, NASS data 

tell your story and the 

story of the millions of 

farmers and ranchers 

who came before you. 

NASS has contributed to the historical documentation of the 

American farmer and rancher since 1863.

In that time, NASS has:

f Documented yields

f Chronicled every flood, windstorm, or drought and its effect on 

regional crop prices

f Shown the many ways communities have weathered highs and 

lows

f Tracked market trends that have influenced and shaped ag 

businesses in rural towns

Telling this ever-evolving story is critical so that citizens today – as 

well as future generations – understand and appreciate agriculture’s 

influence on shaping the American economy and daily life. 

For producers like you, consulting NASS’s report archives can 

enable you to learn from past efforts, trends, mistakes, and 

outcomes and use them to make smarter, well-informed business 

decisions.
14 Talking About NASS

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanations to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

Your participation in 

NASS surveys matters 

to your business and 

to your community.

Without adequate participation from local producers like you, NASS 

surveys cannot accurately reflect the health and well-being of the 

agriculture industry in your area.

That means. . .

f Your county, state, and national leaders won’t have access to 

data that represent the needs of your area. Without localized 

NASS data, they aren’t able to develop more effective legislation 

and policies to benefit farmers and ranchers in your area or to 

evaluate the value of programs and policies already in place. 

f Area businesses that serve you and your fellow producers won’t 

have the data they need to determine the right mix of products 

and services. Plus, their pricing may be off or their inventory 

insufficient. That impacts your profit margin and your ability to do 

your work. 

f Researchers won’t be able to advance their studies and solve 

real-world problems that affect your business.

f USDA, in partnership with various producer groups, won’t be 

able to adequately prepare for and respond to crises in your 

region (e.g., natural disasters, disease outbreaks) with accurate 

inventory and production data.

With all of NASS’s 

surveys now available 

online, participation is 

faster and easier than 

ever before. 

All NASS surveys are available to complete online. 

f NASS online surveys are designed to save time and make it 

easier to submit data. In the new Respondent Portal, producers 

can complete their surveys, track upcoming surveys, access 

data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA 

agencies, and more.

f The online version: skips questions automatically if they do 

not pertain to you; can be completed on most devices; saves 

your work for return later; can be printed for your records; and 

calculates totals for you.

f Responding online will reduce manual errors, make data 

collection and analyses more efficient, and ultimately ensure 

continued high-quality data.

f No other organization or private company offers free and easy 

access to such comprehensive, unbiased data reflecting the 

American agriculture industry.
Talking About NASS 15

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanations to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

When you participate 

in NASS surveys, 

NASS takes great 

care to protect the 

confidentiality of your 

information.

The information you provide to NASS is used for statistical purposes 

only. Your name, addresses, phone numbers, and the data you 

report about yourself and your operation are fully protected by law. 

Only authorized persons working for NASS as employees or sworn 

agents can access individual records – and only for approved 

official purposes. Everyone signs a confidentiality form pledging 

not to compromise reported information. Anyone who discloses the 

information is subject to a fine, a jail term, or both.

In addition, NASS keeps paper responses in a secure area and 

electronic responses on a secure server. All questionnaires are 

destroyed as required by law. And, when NASS prepares official 

statistical estimates, it does so under tight security and publishes 

only aggregated data, not individual or farm-specific data.
16 Talking About NASS

Add your own local or topical examples and notes 

here to customize your conversations.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

Notes and Localized Talking Points
Talking About NASS 17

When you need to share specific facts about NASS – maybe during a 

presentation or meeting – use these messages. 

WHAT NASS IS AND WHAT IT DOES

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanatory statements to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

NASS is the statistical 

agency for USDA.

As the statistical agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

for more than 150 years, NASS is the official source of primary, 

comprehensive, current information on the farms, ranches, and 

people who provide food, fuel, and fiber to our nation and the world. 

And NASS measures all agricultural activities down to the county 

level from everyone, big or small, urban or rural.

NASS’s mission is to provide timely, accurate, and useful statistics in 

service to U.S. agriculture.

What we do f Collect, assemble, process, and disseminate data about all aspects 

of U.S. agriculture based on survey, satellite, and administrative 

information.

f Conduct hundreds of national weekly, monthly, quarterly, and 

annual surveys each year, along with many more at regional, state, 

and local levels.

f Conduct a detailed census of every farm, ranch, and agricultural 

producer every five years.

f Publish more than 400 national reports and hundreds of thousands 

of data items each year that help others make farm-level, business, 

and policy decisions.

f Partner with state agriculture departments, universities, and others 

to conduct additional surveys to meet partners’ specific needs.

f Conduct ongoing statistical research on survey design, sampling, 

and other topics to advance the accuracy of statistical science.

Sharing the Facts 

about NASS
18 Talking About NASS

WHAT NASS IS AND WHAT IT DOES

NASS staff are experts!

This column presents easyto-digest main points.This column presents explanatory statements to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

NASS staff come from many different geographic areas and academic 

backgrounds. 

About three-quarters of its 900 staff members are agricultural 

statisticians, math statisticians, and IT specialists. The rest are 

economists, geographers, cartographers, managers, administrative, 

budget, and communications professionals.

NASS has headquarters in Washington, D.C., at a national operations 

center in St. Louis, and in 12 regional and 33 state offices.

NASS Employees:

f Are intellectually curious.

f Apply technical skills and rigor to all of their work.

f Have a deep understanding of agriculture. 

NASS is 

internationally 

recognized for 

its expertise.

NASS is recognized internationally for its expertise and resources, the 

quality of its data, and its contributions to statistical science. 

NASS works with the U.S. Agency for International Development and 

other federal agencies to provide technical assistance and training on 

a reimbursable basis to help developing and transitioning countries 

improve and expand their capacity to produce agriculture statistics.

Providing such assistance benefits both the country receiving the 

assistance and the United States:

f By helping other countries advance their agricultural statistics 

systems, USDA improves its ability to assess world food and fiber 

production.

f Establishing strong working relationships with ag statisticians 

around the world helps NASS gather and develop new ideas for 

improving U.S. agriculture statistics.

In today’s global trade economy, timely and accurate statistics are 

essential for smooth and efficient markets.
Talking About NASS 19

WHO USES NASS DATA? 

This column identifies 

different NASS data users.

This column presents explanatory statements to support the 

main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

Farmers 

and ranchers

Farmers and ranchers use NASS data to:

f Develop production and marketing strategies

f Plan purchases and capital investments

f Compare their operation, rental rates, prices, and productivity 

against others in the state or across the United States

f Make specific decisions about their operations such as what 

crops to plant, how many cattle or other livestock to raise, etc.

f Benchmark and track how herd numbers, acreage, technology 

use, and practices, such as nutrient management and 

conservation tillage, compare to the practices of local farmers, 

farmers in their state, or those across the country 

USDA agencies USDA agencies (including RMA and FSA) use NASS data to: 

 Evaluate and administer insurance, disaster, commodity,

conservation, credit, and other farm programs

USDA and 

producer groups

USDA, in partnership with various producer groups, uses NASS 

data to:

f Prepare for and respond to crises (e.g., disease outbreaks) with 

accurate inventory and production data 

f Create market access for producers

f Advocate for farmers and ranchers

Well-known data about the share of a food dollar that goes to 

farmers come from NASS data.

Federal and state agencies use NASS data to:

f Make well-informed policy

f Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies

f Determine the impact of proposed agriculture legislation on 

farmers and rural communities

f Respond to emergencies and diseases affecting agriculture

Federal and 

state agencies
20 Talking About NASS

WHO USES NASS DATA? 

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main points.

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Processor, 

warehouse, storage, 

and transportation 

companies

Ag-related businesses use the data to:

f Assess the timing and size of harvest 

f Determine the need for and location of new facilities

f Gear up or down for anticipated livestock slaughter volume and 

cold storage capacity

Manufacturers and 

suppliers of farm 

equipment, materials, 

tools, and parts

Manufacturers and suppliers use NASS data to:

f Understand trends and identify opportunities to develop new 

products to serve the ag industry

f Predict demand for their products so they have ample supply and 

stock to meet demand 

f Improve their own ability to serve the ag industry better

Local officials, 

community planners, 

and cooperatives

Local representatives use NASS data to:

f Identify needed services and facilities

f Identify recreational, educational, and community awareness 

programs based on the interests and concerns of local producers

f Respond to emergencies and diseases affecting agriculture

f Make a range of decisions that directly affect producers (e.g., 

decisions about local food marketing, export opportunities, etc.) 

f Describe the economic impact, either positive or negative, of a 

policy or proposal to local agriculture

f Share county statistics with legislators and county commissioners 

to demonstrate the strength of agriculture in an area and to justify 

local budget-based funding elements for ag

For example, NASS data can be used to show the economic 

and employment impact of farm-friendly zoning or right-to-farm 

programs.
Talking About NASS 21

WHO USES NASS DATA? 

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main points.

MAKE YOUR POINT! ADD THE DETAILS.

Researchers, 

economists, extension 

agents, farm media, 

and others

Researchers, analysts, and other professionals use NASS data to:

f Identify and analyze emerging trends, issues, and their 

implications

f Answer challenging questions on such topics as crop 

management, chemical pesticides, land usage, and veterinary 

science

f Develop grant programs for emerging animal health, food and 

feed production, and crop transition research needs as well as 

those that take ag research into production

f Quantify economic impact of the agricultural industry on the state 

or county economy

The public As a government agency, NASS data are publicly available to 

anyone who wants to access them. The data can answer public 

curiosity about local farming, farmers markets, agri-tourism, water 

supply, demographics in agriculture, impacts of weather on local 

food and feed supply, and much more.

Agriculture traders 

and international 

customers

Agriculture traders use NASS data to:

f Evaluate U.S. export potential

International customers use NASS data to:

f Determine the U.S. supply of major commodities

Industry and market 

analysts 

Industry and market analysts use NASS data to:

f Forecast production and supply expansion and contraction

Precision ag 

companies

Precision ag companies use NASS data to:

f Develop products, software, and apps that improve farm 

management capabilities

Commodity markets Commodity markets use NASS data to:

f Establish futures and commodity prices
22 Talking About NASS

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here to customize your conversations.

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Notes and Localized Talking Points