12/28/07 Census of Ag forms going out

Washington Ag December 28, 2007 The Census of Agriculture, which is taken every five years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Report forms for the 2007 Census of Agriculture are being sent out today and completed forms are due back February 4th. The Census is conducted by the National Agriculture Statistics Service, and outgoing Director of the Washington Field Office, Chris Messer, explains why this survey is so important. Messer: "We want to make sure we get a complete count of farms. The Census of Ag, what is so important, we have such a long data series back to 1840. That is a great piece of information that is used by other federal agencies, state agencies, private entities, commissions, to help determine programs and funding for programs, so that everyone has an opportunity in taking part to see that monies are equitably distributed." This year for the first time producers have the option of filling out the Census online through a secure website. Data from the 2007 Census will begin being released in February 2009. I'm Bob Hoff.