The United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is gearing up and preparing to conduct the 2007 Census of Agriculture, and every return counts. The Census of Agriculture is taken every five years, and is a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the most complete agricultural resource available, providing uniform and comprehensive data for every county in the nation. U. S. farmers and ranchers need to understand how critical their participation in the Census is and how it can impact the future to their operation, to farm policies, and their entire state and community.

The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other important areas. This is all key information that farmers need as they plan their short and long term growth, and for governments to make key decisions related to farming. However information published in the Census is only as accurate as the responses received from producers from across the nation. Completing the Census when you as a producer receive it is your voice and responsibility in affecting the future of farming and ranching in the U.S., and associated policies that are developed from this information.

Farmers and ranchers typically feel that what they do is undervalued and underappreciated, and by participating in and completing the Census when it come's to you, you help demonstrate the magnitude of the value of U.S. agriculture. A few points about the use and need for the Census are:

• The Census provides the information that is used by those who provide services to farmers and rural communities - federal, state and local governments, Extension Agents, agribusinesses, farm service organizations, and many others.
• Census data is used to make decisions about many things that directly impact farmers, including: community planning, store/company locations, availability of operational loans and other funding such as assistance programs, location and staffing of service centers and farm programs and policies.
• By responding to the Census, producers help themselves, their communities and all of U.S. agriculture.
• The Census is the responsibility of every farmer and rancher, regardless of size of their operation.
• Participation in the Census is required by law, and that same law protects the confidentiality of all responses.
• This year will be the first year producers will have an opportunity to fill out the Census online.

The Census will be mailed out December 28, 2007, and NASS is asking farmers to reply by February 4, 2008. Results will be published a year later in February 2009. Help make agricultures voice count and be counted, when you receive you 2007 Census of Agriculture, make your voice count and complete it. For more information about the 2007 Census of Agriculture go to www.agcensus.usda.gov, or call (888) 4AG-STAT.