2017 Farm Census

What to expect from the 2017 Census of agriculture. The 2017 Census of Agriculture has been sent to farmers all across the country. There shouldn't be too many surprising questions for farmers while they fill out the census. Greg Thessen (tay'-sehn), Regional Director of the National Ag Statistics Service in Des Moines, Iowa: "It's land-use and ownership type questions, how much land they are operating, there is a group of questions on operator characteristics and demographics which are really important because the census is generally the only place we collect that type of information. There's also things on production practices, income and expenses and so generally things they should know, they have records available, it may be helpful if they have those available for the income and expenses. As far as anything they may not be expecting, I guess we ask questions if they are involved in any production contracts, they may not be thinking about that, but it should be questions that they can answer fairly easily." Once the information is all sent out it will not be traceable back to an individual farm. It's also not available to the public under the freedom of information act. The deadline is set for February 5.