Montana farmers and ranchers are being asked to fill out a very important survey that helps paint an accurate picture of American agriculture – the Census of Agriculture.
“By filling it out you let your voice be heard. You let everyone know how Montana’s agriculture economy is; basically, telling us your story” says USDA-NASS MT State Statistician Eric Sommer.
Conducted every five years, the Census of Agriculture is the USDA’s largest data collection endeavor and serves a very important role.
Sommer says, “The census really is the building block for all of USDA’s programs. That’s the basis and where we determine whether or not a program is going to be funded or not be funded.”
State governments also use the Census of Agriculture.