By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
Texas farmers and ranchers who have not yet turned in their 2017 Census of Agriculture still have time to do so.
Although the soft deadline to turn in the census has already passed, Will Hundl Jr., director of the Southern Plains region for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), reports NASS will continue to accept census forms to ensure they get a complete and accurate picture of agriculture.
“The key is we get these reports completed,” Hundl said. “That’s what we’re after—to get the number of farms counted at the county level.”
Because the soft deadline was in the middle of tax season, Hundl said they understand farmers and ranchers may not have had the information or time they need to fill out the census at the time.
Those with questions and/or concerns are encouraged to reach out to NASS.
“If you still have your form and need help filling it out or maybe it’s a little complex and you need some help, use the hotline number on the front page of that form,” Hundl said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network. “If you need someone to come, sit down, visit with you and help work through it, we can do that as well.”
Anyone who produces or grows agricultural products, including field crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture and livestock, regardless of the size of the operation is encouraged to complete the census.
The Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years to get a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.
It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation.
“A lot is at stake if producers are not represented in this data,” NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer said. “Census data have and will continue to influence important decisions for American agriculture. The data will affect every operation and every farming community at some point, whether it be through farm policy, disaster relief, insurance or loan programs, infrastructure improvements or agribusiness setup. There is accuracy and strength in numbers.”
The results of the census are available in aggregate form only, so personal information submitted in the census is kept confidential.
Data from the census is expected to be available by February 2019.
Additional information on the census is available at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/. For questions or assistance filling out the census, call toll-free, 888-424-7828.