Surveys

National Agricultural Classification Survey

National Agriculture Classification Survey

The National Agricultural Classification Survey is a nationwide effort to identify potential agricultural operations in the United States. The results of this survey will help provide the best possible coverage for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is a complete accounting of farms and ranches in the United States and the people who operate them. Collected once every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census of Agriculture provides information on land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. This information is used to help make decisions that benefit you and your community – from decisions guiding succession planning and new and beginning farmer programs to decisions impacting agriculture practices, land stewardship, and sustainability.




A farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year. The definition was first used for the 1974 Census of Agriculture. It is consistent across current USDA surveys.


Respond Online

Click here to complete your survey online. Remember, you will need your unique survey code to sign in.


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    What is the National Agricultural Classification Survey?

    The National Agricultural Classification Survey is a nationwide effort to identify potential agricultural operations in the United States. The results of this survey will help provide the best possible coverage for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is a complete accounting of farms and ranches in the United States and the people who operate them. Collected once every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census of Agriculture provides information on land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. This information is used to help make decisions that benefit you and your community – from decisions guiding succession planning and new and beginning farmer programs to decisions impacting agriculture practices, land stewardship, and sustainability.

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    Why should I respond to the National Agricultural Classification Survey?

    Response to this survey is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. Your response to this survey will help NASS provide the most complete accounting of agriculture in the United States. Did you know that 75 percent of the 2 million farms in the United States reported agricultural sales of $50,000 or less in the 2017 Census of Agriculture? Many people who do not consider themselves to be farmers or ranchers actually meet the official census definition of a farm - any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced, or normally would have been produced, per year.

    Even if you have no agricultural activity, your response is still important to us so we can ensure our records are up to date and you are removed from future contacts.

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    Do you really need to count me?

    YES - if you own or rent agricultural land, grow vegetables, grow horticultural or floricultural products, have fruit or nut trees, cattle, horses, poultry, hogs, bees, aquaculture products, or consider yourself a farmer or rancher, we need to hear from you.

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    How will the National Agricultural Classification Survey be conducted?

    Survey forms will be mailed in December 2021 to addresses where agricultural activities may have occurred or have the potential to occur. Responses are due by Jan. 24, 2022. NASS staff will follow up to try and gather the information if we do not receive a completed survey.

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    How do I respond to the National Agricultural Classification Survey?

    Please complete your form online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. All you need is your unique survey code located on the front of the questionnaire to complete your survey online. You may also complete and return your survey by mail using the return envelope provided.

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    Will my information be kept confidential?

    Absolutely. Respondents are guaranteed by law (Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2018, Title III of Pub. L. No. 115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35 and other applicable Federal laws) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals. The report cannot be used for purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulation. The privacy of individual records is also protected from Freedom of Information Act requests.

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    What if I am not actively farming or ranching?

    If you are not actively farming, ranching, or engaged in any agricultural activity, your response is still important to us to verify that you do not currently meet the definition of a farm or ranch, and so we can remove you future contacts. Please complete the first four questions and follow the instructions provided. If you do not complete the survey, NASS staff will follow up to try and gather the information.

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    What if I receive more than one questionnaire in the mail?

    If you receive more than one questionnaire, and have more than one operation, please complete a survey for each separate operation you conduct. If you only have one operation, please complete only one survey and write “DUPLICATE” on the front of the other questionnaires and return them all in the same envelope.

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    Why did I receive this form? How did you receive my name?

    To ensure the most complete count of farms and ranches in the United States, NASS maintains a list of individuals who have agricultural production. Additionally, we obtain mailing lists from public and private sources associated with agriculture. Some of the lists did not indicate whether the addressee was actually an agricultural producer but did indicate that the addressee likely has the potential to have agricultural production. You may have received a survey form if your name appeared on one or more of those lists.

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    What if I want more information?

    For more information or help completing your form, call 1-888-4AG-STAT or 1-888-424-7828.

Last Modified: 04/17/2024