United States Census of Agriculture
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (August 2008) ) |
United States Census of Agriculture | |
---|---|
Genre | Census |
Frequency | Quinquenial |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 1840 |
Most recent | 2017 |
Organized by | National Agricultural Statistics Service |
Website | agcensus |
The Census of Agriculture is a census conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) that provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the United States.
Overview
The census 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. This picture, when compared to earlier censuses, helps to measure trends and new developments in the agricultural sector of the nation's economy.
For census purposes, a farm is defined as a place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. This farm definition has changed nine times throughout history and the current definition has been in effect since 1974.
History
The first Census of Agriculture was taken in 1840 as part of the
The 1997 Census of Agriculture has historical significance because it was the first conducted by NASS after the 1997
Uses of census data
Census data is used by all those who serve farmers and
- Companies and cooperatives use the information to determine the locations of facilities that will serve agricultural producers.
- Community planners use the information to target needed services to rural residents.
- USDA uses the information to ensure that local service centers are staffed at appropriate levels.
- Legislators use the information when shaping farm policies and programs.
- Farmers and ranchers use Census data to help make informed decisions about the future of their own operations.
External links
- Census of Agriculture — official website
- NASS web site
- : Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture