2022 Census of Agriculture Underway in Louisiana

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the 2022 Census of Agriculture paper questionnaires to all known agriculture producers across the nation and Puerto Rico. Last month, producers in all states received their survey codes with an invitation to respond online. Any Louisiana producer who did not respond online still has the option to complete the ag census at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. Producers who have already responded to the 2022 Census of Agriculture online do not need to respond again. The deadline for response is Feb. 6, 2023. 

“If a census questionnaire was received, it’s important that everyone respond. Especially respondents that are landlords, CRP only acres, not farming anymore, or anyone who doesn’t think they need to return the questionnaire”, said Kathy Broussard, Louisiana State Statistician. “We want to hear back from everyone, so we don’t keep trying to contact you as the deadline approaches. Just make a note on the front of the questionnaire or add a comment online that tells us your situation and we’ll take it from there.” 

The Census of Agriculture remains the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and U.S. territory. Farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022, are included in the ag census. The data inform decisions about policy, programs, rural development, research, and more. The Census of Agriculture is the producer’s voice in the future of American agriculture. 

Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The same law requires NASS to keep all information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release the results of the ag census in 2024. 

To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit www.nass.usda.gov/agcensus.