05/08/07 Agricultural census

In late December or early January the nation's two million farmers will get something in the mail, and we're not talking late arriving Christmas gift. It will be their agriculture census forms. The administrator of USDA's National Ag Statistic Service Ronald Bosecker says it's really important that producers take the time to fill out the census and return it. BOSECKER "The data that we request will give the producers their opportunity to describe agriculture as it exists today." What impact does farming have on the US economy? That's the question that's answered when the census is taken every five years. Farmers are required by law to file a farm census report. BOSECKER "I would rather that producers respond because they know the importance of the data." Bosecker says producers can be assured about the confidentially of their data. BOSECKER "It is protected by law and NASS takes out responsibility to safeguard the data extremely serious." By USDA's definition it only takes one thousand dollars in annual income to qualify as a farmer. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott