# NASS - Census of Agriculture

The Census of Agriculture, taken every five years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas. For America's farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future and their responsibility.

- USDA Releases 2018 Census of Agriculture Data for American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released 2018 Census of Agriculture data for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the first update to agricultural data for the four areas in over 10 years.
- USDA Releases 2018 Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the 2018 Census of Agriculture data for Puerto Rico. The information was collected directly from farmers by the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture and the University of Puerto Rico Extension Service. The data show that the total value of the island’s agricultural production reached $485 million in 2018, a decrease of about $63 million from 2012 when the last Census of Agriculture was conducted. The regions of Arecibo and Ponce together comprised over 50% of the total value of agricultural production. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the island, largely accounting for the 37.5% decrease in the number of farms and the 16.6% decrease in land in farms.
- NASS releases Census of Agriculture Congressional District Profiles and Rankings The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released the Congressional District Profiles and Rankings from the 2017 Census of Agriculture on the NASS website. This summary presents data by congressional district that includes land, farms, market value of agricultural products sold, rankings, and producer characteristics. These profiles are often used by producers, congressional leaders, and others to support agriculture in their districts.
- USDA announces one week left to complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) ends all data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture on July 31. Anyone who received the Census questionnaire is required by law to respond by that date, and they can complete the form online at www.agcensus.usda.gov or by calling toll-free (888) 424-7828.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reminding farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. To date, NASS has received more than 1.5 million completed questionnaires. But the national return rate is currently lower than at this point in the 2012 Census. NASS is encouraging U.S. producers who have not returned their completed Census questionnaires to do so as soon as possible to avoid phone and in-person follow-up.
- Still Time to be Counted in the 2017 Census of Agriculture - NASS to follow-up with producers who have not yet responded Farmers and ranchers still have time to be counted in the 2017 Census of Agriculture, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Although the first deadline has just passed, NASS will continue to accept Census information through the spring to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture that represents all farmers and ranchers.
- Census of Agriculture response deadline one week away The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reminds our nation’s farmers and ranchers that the deadline for the 2017 Census of Agriculture is one week away. Producers should respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail by February 5. The online questionnaire offers new timesaving features.
- 2017 Census of Agriculture Gets Underway Questionnaires being sent to over 3 million U.S. producers The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) starts mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation's producers this week. Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by farmers, ranchers, trade associations, researchers, policymakers, and many others to help make decisions in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development, and more.
- Countdown to Census: What You Need To Know - Only eight weeks until producers start to receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture In just a couple months, farmers and ranchers across the nation will start receiving the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Producers can mail in their completed census form, or respond online via the improved web questionnaire. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has extensively revised the online questionnaire to make it more convenient for producers.
- Farmers and ranchers have one week left to sign up to receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture - NASS debuts new census video and online questionnaire demo New farmers and ranchers, and those not previously contacted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), have until the end of June to ensure they are represented in this year’s Census of Agriculture. To receive a census questionnaire this December, these producers are asked to visit the Census of Agriculture website at www.agcensus.usda.gov and click on the ‘Make Sure You Are Counted’ button today.
- Census Of Agriculture Countdown Begins For America’s Farmers And Ranchers America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to strongly represent agriculture in their communities and industry 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, to be mailed at the end of this year, is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them.
- USDA Gathering New Data on Organic Agriculture Production The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2016 Certified Organic Survey to gather new data on certified organic crops and livestock commodities in the United States. This effort is critical to help determine the economic impact of certified organic agriculture production in the United States.
- Webinar on Results of First-Ever USDA Local Foods Marketing Practices Survey More than 167,000 U.S. farms locally produced and sold food through direct marketing practices, resulting in $8.7 billion in revenue in 2015, according to the results from the first Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, originally released on Dec. 20, 2016 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The report results cover both fresh and value-added foods, such as meat and cheese.
- USDA Releases Results of First Local Food Marketing Practices Survey More than 167,000 U.S. farms locally produced and sold food through direct marketing practices, resulting in $8.7 billion in revenue in 2015, according to the results from the first Local Food Marketing Practices Survey released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The report results cover both fresh and value-added foods, such as meat and cheese.
- USDA Sends National Agricultural Classification Survey Ahead of 2017 Census of Agriculture In preparation for the 2017 Census of Agriculture, close to one million potential farmers and ranchers will receive the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) this month to help the U.S. Department of Agriculture identify all active farms and ranches in the United States.
- NASS Corrects Data for Some Crops in the 2014 Organic Survey Report Errata Notice: USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) discovered a number of record-level errors in the 2014 Organic Survey. The errors impacted survey data originally released on Sept. 17, 2015.
- USDA Launches First-Ever Local Foods Survey - Study will Provide New Data on Locally Grown and Sold Foods The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the 2015 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey as part of its continued support of local and regional food systems. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting this first-time survey to produce official benchmark data on the local food sector in the United States.
- Sales from U.S. Organic Farms Up 72 Percent, USDA Reports Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2014 Organic Survey, which show that 14,093 certified and exempt organic farms in the United States sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, up 72 percent since 2008.
- NASS Announces Release Date for the 2014 Organic Survey Report USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will publish the 2014 Organic Survey report on Thursday, September 17, at Noon ET. The 2014 Organic Survey results will be accessible online in several formats, including NASS’ searchable Quick Stats database, a full PDF publication, and summary data Highlights.
- Most of the US Rented Farmland is Owned by Non Farmers Agricultural producers rented and farmed 353.8 million acres of farmland, according to the results of the 2014 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land survey results released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of these acres, 80 percent are owned by non-farming landlords.
- South Dakota Growing to be an Ag Powerhouse In 2012, South Dakota farmers and ranchers sold more than $10 billion worth of agricultural products. That’s an incredible 55 percent increase from 2007 Census of Agriculture.
- Farming Going Strong in Kansas, According to #AgCensus Kansas may be known as the “Sunflower State,” but wheat is the state’s key crop. Kansas growers harvested more than 9 million acres of winter wheat in 2012. Learn more about Kansas agriculture.
- Nebraska Farmers Have Plenty to Brag About Nebraska leads United States in irrigated farmland acreage. Learn more about Nebraska agriculture.
- Mississippi leads U.S. in catfish production In 2013, the Magnolia state growers sold more than $203.6 million worth of aquaculture. Learn more about Mississippi agriculture.
- Montana Agriculture Keeps Growing Montana’s total market value of agricultural products sold per farm was $151,031; which was up 59 percent from the previous Census of Agriculture in 2007.
- USDA to Gauge Farmland Ownership and Farm Economics The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will begin surveying farmland owners to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership. Landowners will receive forms for the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey by the end of December.
- USDA Conducting 2014 Census of Horticulture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties to provide a comprehensive picture of the horticultural sector of the U.S. economy. It is the only source of detailed production and sales data for the U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food crops.
- USDA Reports 55.3 Million Acres of Irrigated U.S. Farmland There were 229,237 farms with 55.3 million irrigated acres in the United Sates, according to the 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey results, published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The report also showed that the number of farms with irrigation declined from the 235,715 published in the 2008 irrigation survey.
- Wisconsin Continues Living Up to Dairyland Name With 11,543 dairy farms, Wisconsin significantly leads other state in dairy farm numbers. Learn more about the state’s farming from data in 2012 #AgCensus.
- Organic Farms Connect Consumers with their Food, USDA Agriculture Census Reports Certified organic agriculture producers in the United States sell directly to consumers, produce on-farm renewable energy, and are younger, beginning, farmers more often than conventional producers, according to new 2012 Census of Agriculture data released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Conducted only once every five years, the agriculture census presents a detailed look at the U.S. organic farm sector including production practices, economics and demographics.
- USDA Releases 2013 Census of Aquaculture Results Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the 2013 Census of Aquaculture results. This report is the result of the third national census conducted by NASS to measure the U.S. aquaculture industry. The last Census of Aquaculture was conducted in 2005.
- New Agriculture Data Released Today for American Indian Reservations The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released the 2012 Census of Agriculture American Indian Reservations report. This is the third agriculture census in which NASS has collected reservation level data. The report covers 76 American Indian reservations in 16 states.
- USDA Continues to Seek Input for the 2017 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to seek input for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted only once every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture down to the county level.
- Congressional District Profiles from the Agriculture Census Provide New Decision-Making Tools for Leaders The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released the 2012 Census of Agriculture Congressional District Profiles for the 113th Congress. NASS conducts the Agriculture Census once every five years.
- USDA Releases 2012 Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released 2012 Census of Agriculture data for Puerto Rico. This release marks more than a century of agriculture census data collection in Puerto Rico, where the first agriculture census was conducted in 1910.
- USDA Invites Suggestions for the 2017 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now inviting suggestions for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted only once every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture down to the county level.
- USDA Publishes Census of Agriculture State and County Profiles The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released new 2012 Census of Agriculture profiles for all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and more than 3,000 counties in the nation. The Census, which is conducted only once every 5 years, is the only time that NASS gathers and
- Hawaiian Agriculture Remains Unique Check out some interesting facts about Hawaiian agriculture from the 2012 Census of Agriculture
- 2012 Census of Agriculture Reveals New Trends in Farming There are now 3.2 million farmers operating 2.1 million farms on 914.5 million acres of farmland across the United States, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agriculture census presents more than 6 million pieces of information, which provide a detailed look at the U.S. farm sector at the national, state and county levels.
- New Agriculture Census Data Coming May 2 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release the final results of the 2012 Census of Agriculture on May 2, at noon ET via a live webcast event. During the webcast, NASS officials will share wide-ranging information about what agricultural products were raised in the United States in 2012, and examine where, how and by whom they were grown. National, state and county level data will be available, including information that is only collected and reported as part of the every five year census. To make accessing the information easier than ever, NASS created a number of online tools.
- USDA Announces Release Date for the Final 2012 Census of Agriculture Report The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced it will publish the 2012 Census of Agriculture full report on May 2, at Noon ET. The complete data series will be available in multiple formats, including Quick Stats 2.0 – an online database to retrieve customized tables with Census data at the national, state and county levels.
- 2012 Census of Agriculture Preliminary Results Show Growing Farm Economy USDA today released the preliminary 2012 Census of Agriculture results.  Key findings include an increase in the value of agricultural products sold in the United States totaling $394.6 billion in 2012, up 33 percent ($97.4 billion) from 2007.  The number of farms and land in farms were down slightly, but held steady. Additionally, agriculture is becoming more diverse.
- USDA to Release Census of Agriculture Data on February 20 The U.S. Department of Agriculture will release the first look at the 2012 Census of Agriculture results in a preliminary report on February 20. The data will include number of farms, land in farms (acreage), market value of agricultural products sold including government payments, and demographics at the state and national levels and for Puerto Rico. USDA will release the full Census results, including data to the county level, later in the spring.
- USDA Surveys On-Farm Irrigation Practices U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the national Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey.  Farmers, ranchers and horticulture producers across the United States will begin receiving the survey today in the mail asking them to provide information about their water use and irrigation practices, with responses due by February 10.
- Grow Your Farm Future with the 2012 Census of Agriculture With spring and planting season on the horizon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is alerting farmers and ranchers of their final chance to sow a seed for their future by being counted in the 2012 Census of Agriculture.
- USDA Extends Census Deadline, Reminds Producers It’s Not too Late Farmers and ranchers across the country are heeding the call to have their voices heard and their farms represented in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. With 1.4 million Census forms returned, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is thanking everyone for speaking up for their communities, their industry and their future by sending in their Census form. For those who missed the deadline, USDA reminds producers that their farm is important and needs to be counted. As a result, Census forms are still being accepted.
- Two Weeks Remaining to Respond to 2012 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that producers have two weeks remaining to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. To date, America’s farmers and ranchers are taking action in overwhelming numbers to mail back their completed Agriculture Census forms, submit them online, or call and e-mail for assistance.
- 2012 Census of Agriculture in Spotlight this Thanksgiving Nearly four centuries after the very first Thanksgiving feast, Americans sitting down with their families can still taste the role agriculture plays in the holiday – and the even bigger role it plays in their lives.According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), U.S. farmers will raise 254 million turkeys, and harvest 768 million pounds of cranberries and 47 billion pounds of potatoes this year. The most recent NASS data reports that producers also grew 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkins and 1.9 billion pounds of green beans to provide many sides dishes this Thanksgiving. Compare that with the menu that history tells us the Thanksgiving consisted of in 1621: a handful of wild turkeys and geese, along with a few baskets of assorted beans, corn and pumpkins grown by pilgrims and Native Americans.
- Agricultural Leaders Ask Farmers to Sign Up and Be Counted in the 2012 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to mail the 2012 Census of Agriculture to millions of U.S. farmers and ranchers in late December. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Federal and state agricultural leaders are reminding producers, through a public service announcement campaign, not to miss their opportunity to be counted by signing up for the Census before July 1. "Local and national leaders use the Census to make decisions that directly impact your business, your community and your industry," explain the leaders. "Whether you're farming four thousand acres or just four, it's important. Every voice counts."
- Farmers Are Reminded to Sign Up for the 2012 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to mail the 2012 Census of Agriculture to millions of U.S. farmers and ranchers in late December. Producers are reminded not to miss their opportunity to be counted by signing up for the Census before July 1. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. A farm is defined as any place that produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the Census year (2012).
- NASS Asks Farmers to Sign up for Census, Share Their Story In recognition of National Ag Day on March 8, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) calls on America's farmers and ranchers to sign up for the 2012 Census of Agriculture and to share stories about how Census data benefits them. Recognizing the central role of agriculture in Americans lives, USDA wants to make sure it counts all farmers and ranchers in the upcoming Census. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the Census of Agriculture every five years and is currently preparing to send the Census form to all agricultural producers in December.
- Got Questions about #AgCensus? Send Them Our Way! Today at 1 p.m. EST, we will spend an hour on our agency's Twitter account (@usda_nass) answering questions about the 2012 Census of Agriculture. We'd love to hear from all of you to address any concerns, reservations or just simple inquiries you may have about participating in the Census. To make sure that we see your questions, simply add the #AgCensus tag to your tweet.
- NASS to Hold Live Twitter Chat About the Census The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is preparing to conduct the 2012 Census of Agriculture later this year. In order to answer any questions farmers, ranchers or agricultural groups and organizations may have about the Census, Renee Picanso, NASS Census and Survey Division Director and Joe Prusacki, NASS Statistics Division Director will conduct a live Q&A session, or "Twitterview," on the NASS Twitter page on Thursday, March 8 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST.
- New Farmers Benefit from Ag Census This is National Agriculture Week, an annual event that gives us a chance to honor the 3 million plus farmers and ranchers across the United States who work hard each day so that we have healthy and nutritious food on our plates. From the last Census of Agriculture in 2007, we learned that the number of farmers is actually growing. But how do we know that USDA is keeping pace with their needs?
- Agriculture Counts on Ag Day ... and Every Other Day National Ag Day is about recognizing and celebrating the important contributions of America's farmers and ranchers as well as the 3 million hard-working producers that feed the other 300 million of us. And we're proud, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, to be a sponsor of the 2012 National Ag Day program.
- Links to the Past: USDA Releases Historic Census of Agriculture Reports Did you know that the number of farms in the United States peaked in 1935 at 6,812,350 operations when the average farm size was 154.8  acres? In comparison, the 2007 Census of Agriculture counted 2,204,792  farms with the average farm size of 418  acres. In celebration of 150 years of service to American agriculture, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in partnership with Cornell University's Mann Library, are making these and many other historical facts available online at http://agcensus.mannlib.cornell.edu
- Sign-up and Be Counted Earlier this month, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), released the latest count of farms in the United States. The nation has nearly 2.2 million farms, a number that has held pretty steady for the past decade. While this number is important, it doesn't tell the whole story.  I urge all farmers who have not yet participated in the Census to sign up so you can be counted. After all, the Census is your voice, your future and your responsibility.
- USDA Gearing Up to Conduct 2012 Census of Agriculture Surveys are now arriving in mailboxes around the nation to help identify all active farms in the United States. The National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS), which asks landowners whether or not they are farming and for basic farm information, is one of the most important early steps used to determine who should receive a 2012 Census of Agriculture report form. The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.