Census Data Release
- When will NASS release 2022 Census of Agriculture data?
NASS will release 2022 Census of Agriculture data Feb. 13, 2024. Detailed data will be available for the 2022 and earlier censuses in electronic formats for the United States as well as all states and counties. Data from the Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture will be available in summer 2024. Additional key dates are available at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus and publication dates for the various ag census data products can be found on NASS’s 2024 Agricultural Statistics Board Calendar.
- Where can I find Census of Agriculture data?
You can find Census of Agriculture data online at www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. The information is also available through our searchable online database, Quick Stats, downloadable PDF Data Highlights, maps, and a variety of topic-specific products. Reports can be viewed at the local NASS field office in your area and at many depository libraries, universities, and other state government offices.
- Will NASS publish all data?
No, not all data will be available. If publishing a particular data item would identify an operation (for example, if there is only one producer of a particular commodity in a county), NASS does not publish the information. In such cases, the data are suppressed and shown as “(D),” meaning “withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.” A dash represents zero, no data for that particular data item.
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About the 2022 Census of Agriculture
- What is the Census of Agriculture?
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land – whether rural or urban – count if $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.
If your farm meets this benchmark and you have never received NASS surveys or censuses, you can sign up to be counted online.
The Census of Agriculture, conducted once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, producer characteristics, production practices, income, and expenditures.
- Why is the Census of Agriculture important?
The Census of Agriculture provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. Through the ag census, producers can show the nation the value and importance of U.S. agriculture and influence decisions that will shape the future of their industries.
- What’s new this census?
New data topics in the ag census reflect trends and changes in U.S. agriculture and ensure that the census continues to provide relevant agricultural data. Several notable changes for 2022 include new questions about the use of precision agriculture, hemp production, hair sheep and updates to internet access questions.
- Who uses Census of Agriculture data?
Census of Agriculture data are used by those who serve farmers and rural communities — federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, researchers, trade associations, and many others.
- Ag producers can use Census of Agriculture data to make informed decisions about their own operations, from production practices to marketing.
- Companies and cooperatives use the data to determine where to locate facilities that will serve agricultural producers.
- Community planners use the information to target needed services to rural residents.
- Legislators use census data when shaping farm policies and programs.
- Students, educators, and researchers use the data as part of their ongoing studies, education, and research initiatives
- How did NASS conduct the Census of Agriculture?
NASS mailed the 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaires to ag producers in November/December 2022 to collect data for the 2022 calendar year. Producers could respond online or return their completed questionnaires by mail through May 2023. NASS sent reminder notices to those who did not respond and attempted to contact those producers for a personal interview. Response to the Census of Agriculture is required by federal law.
- Does NASS keep the information provided by individual respondents private?
NASS is bound by law (Title 7, U.S. Code, and the 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 pledges to every data provider – to use the information for statistical purposes only, and to only publish aggregated data so that no individual or farm can be identified.
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Methodology
- What is Methodology?
In statistics, methodology refers to the processes by which data are collected, analyzed, and summarized.
- What methodology will NASS use to conduct the 2022 Census of Agriculture?
The 2022 ag census methodology is the same as that used in 2017. However, from one census to the next, NASS considers what enhancements to the methodology can improve the process. NASS uses capture-recapture methodology, an accepted statistical methodology, to account for undercoverage (farms not reached in the original mailing), nonresponse (people not returning their census questionnaires), and misclassification (whether an operation is correctly classified as a farm or not). The methodology is documented thoroughly in Appendix A of the ag census.
- How does NASS account for those who did not respond to the 2022 Census?
The importance of response to any statistical census and survey cannot be understated. NASS collects data directly from the ag producers themselves - every response is important and makes data stronger. To account for farmers who do not participate in the ag census, NASS uses capture-recapture methodology to correct for nonresponse. As part of this process, the census responses are compared to data collected in the area frame survey. Statistical models are developed based on matching information from this survey with information from the census. These models take into account the size of a farm (in terms of both land area and sales of agricultural products), the age of an operator, the type of farm, and a number of other features. Using these models, NASS can adjust for nonresponse, to develop accurate and reliable estimates for U.S. agriculture.
- Can I be sure the data are accurate?
The source of ag census information is farmers, ranchers, and other producers who are closest to the information. However, errors can occur on the response forms. NASS reviews all submitted responses and follows-up on entries that look inaccurate. NASS may contact a producer to verify information or compare information to existing known data, all to ensure the most accurate information.
NASS then uses statistical methodology to correct for undercoverage (farms not reached in the original mailing), nonresponse (people not returning their census questionnaires), and misclassification (whether an operation is correctly classified as a farm or not). The uncertainty these adjustments introduce causes the exact numbers to be unknown. However, the uncertainty can be quantified. This measure of relative reliability is known as the coefficient of variation. In the ag census data, NASS will publish a measure of uncertainty with all estimates at the national, state, and county level, increasing transparency and data usability.
- What is coefficient of variation and what does it mean for this Census of Agriculture?
The coefficient of variation (CV) provides a measure of uncertainty of an estimate. The lower the CV, the higher the reliability of the estimate. For the ag census, it means that those using the data can assess the comparable reliability of the census estimates. By publishing the CV, NASS is increasing transparency and data usability down to the county level.
- Can I compare 2022 Census data with previous years’ data?
Yes, the numbers are comparable. The data from each Census of Agriculture represent U.S. agriculture at a point in time. Comparing the data from two or more censuses can reveal trends as well as changes and new developments in the industry. Throughout each ag census cycle, NASS evaluates its processes, applies new technologies, and makes improvements in its methodology so that all agricultural operations in the nation can be accounted for.
After the 2012 Census of Agriculture, NASS convened an expert panel of data users and stakeholders to ensure that the Census of Agriculture measures the full contributions of all persons involved in U.S. farm operations and agricultural production. For comparisons, the 2017 Census of Agriculture publication included a bridge table between the 2012 and 2017 data items. The 2022 demographic tables will only show data for all producers. There will be no data for principal or primary producers for 2022. Since 2017 and 2022 Census of Agriculture data are comparable, no bridging tables will be published in 2022.
- How do you explain numbers that seem out of line or inaccurate?
NASS has extensive quality control measures in place to assure the most accurate and useful data available. Statistically valid procedures are in place to collect, analyze, summarize, and report the data from NASS surveys as well as the Census of Agriculture. The reported information is checked against other known administrative data and double checked if it looks incorrect. Staff working in each state who have local knowledge analyze and review the data as well. Since these data are statistical estimates, NASS publishes the coefficient of variation as a measure of the uncertainty associated with each estimate. With that measure, people can better understand and use the data.
- What does a “significant change” mean?
The traditional five percent level of significance is used to determine whether an observed change from 2017 to 2022 is statistically significant. Each comparison between a 2017 and a 2022 ag census estimate uses statistical methods that account for the uncertainty of each estimate. However, there is a difference between statistical significance and practical significance. Some changes that are not statistically significant may be of high practical importance; other changes that are statistically significant may be inconsequential in practice. The data user must assess the practical significance of a change.
- How does NASS count producers on American Indian Reservations?
To maximize coverage of American Indian and Alaska Native agricultural producers, NASS made a concerted effort to get individual reports from every American Indian and Alaska Native farm or ranch producer in the country. If this is not possible within some reservations, a single reservation-level census report covering agricultural activity on the entire reservation is collected from knowledgeable reservation officials. NASS staff review these data and remove duplication with any data reported by individual producers.
Additionally, NASS also obtained the count of ag producers on reservations who were not counted through individual ag census forms but whose agricultural activity was included in the reservation-level report form. In addition to the data released in 2024, NASS will release a detailed 2022 ag census report on American Indian Reservations.
- Where can I learn more about the methodology?
Appendix A of the 2022 Census of Agriculture explains the methodology NASS uses to collect, analyze, summarize, and report the information in depth. You can learn more about the statistical method used to correct for undercoverage (farms not reached in the original mailing), nonresponse (people not returning their census questionnaires), and misclassification (whether an operation is correctly classified as a farm or not) by reading Capture-Recapture in the 2012 Census of Agriculture: A Beginner’s Guide.
- Who can I contact if I think there might be a problem with the data?
If you have a concern about state- or county-level data, please contact your USDA NASS regional office (www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/RFO/index.php). If your concern is about national-level data, please contact nass@usda.gov or call 800-727-9540. You will be directed to the appropriate subject matter expert. Special tabulations are considered when requested data are not published elsewhere. Finally, if you want to make an official request to correct data, please follow the instructions posted online at www.nass.usda.gov/About_NASS/Information_Quality_Guidelines/
- Where can I see if corrections have been made to the ag census publications?
NASS posts corrections to its reports online at Statistical Release Corrections. The page provides the report name, a description of the correction, and the notification date.
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Completing the Census of Agriculture
- I’ve already submitted my Census of Ag form but received another mailing. How can I verify that my completed ag census was received?
If you have already submitted your 2022 Census of Agriculture, thank you. Please disregard any additional ag census letters and forms. Whether you responded online or by mail, you can verify your report was received by going to www.agcounts.usda.gov, entering your survey code, and checking the submitted date under the status column of the My Surveys tab. Please note that the status update is not always immediate, even if you responded online. The update can take a few minutes up to several days, especially if you returned your form via mail.
- I’m trying to submit my ag census online. I clicked submit, but the button was grayed out. Did it go through?
Thank you for your response! Please know your information was received even if you encountered a grayed out, seemingly unresponsive submit button. We’re experiencing some latency due to the high volume of responses via the website. You can verify your report was received on the same Respondent Portal by checking the Submitted date under the Status column of the My Surveys tab. Please note that the Status update is not always immediate – the update can take a few minutes up to a few days.
- How do I get back into the Census of Agriculture online to make corrections?
To make changes to an already completed and submitted questionnaire, call 1-888-424-7828 to request your account be reactivated.
- How do I complete the Census of Agriculture if I am a Landlord only?
The most efficient method of informing us of your status is to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture online using your survey code. The first few questions handle the status of the farm production, farm business, and farm ownership. You will also have the opportunity to add comments if you like.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information is correct and select ADDRESS VERIFIED – START SURVEY, or make corrections by selecting MAKE CORRECTIONS
a. If you made Operation, Operator, or Contact Information corrections, select SAVE CHANGES – START SURVEY
6. Answer the five introduction questions and the Conclusion and then select Submit Survey
- What should I do if I am not a farmer, never farmed, am no longer farming, or the operator is deceased/operation out of business?
The most efficient method of informing us of your status is to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture online using your survey code. The first few questions handle the status of the farm production, farm business, and farm ownership. You will also have the opportunity to add comments if you like. If the farm is no longer operating, was not in operation at any point during 2022, or has never been a farm, you will be done very quickly and we will be able to remove you from our mailing list.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information is correct and select ADDRESS VERIFIED – START SURVEY, or make corrections by selecting MAKE CORRECTIONS
a. If you made Operation, Operator, or Contact Information corrections, select SAVE CHANGES – START SURVEY
6. Answer the five introduction questions and the Conclusion and then select Submit Survey
- What should I do if the Census was mailed to someone that is no longer farming or is deceased, but the operation is still in business and I am the new owner?
As long as the operation was still in business during 2022, the Census of Agriculture should be completed. The most efficient method of informing us of your status is to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture online using your survey code. You will also have the opportunity to add comments if you like. If the farm is no longer operating and was not in operation at any point during 2022, you will be done very quickly and we will be able to remove you from our mailing list.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Select MAKE CORRECTIONS
6. Update the Operation, Operator, and Contact Information as appropriate
7. Select SAVE CHANGES – START SURVEY
8. Complete the census through the Conclusion section and select Submit Survey
- How do I complete the Census if the farm was sold, there is new owner that can answer better, or not sure of the new owner’s information?
The most efficient method of informing us of the operation’s status is to complete the Census of Agriculture online. The first few questions handle the status of the farm production, farm business, and farm ownership. You will also have the opportunity to add comments if you like.The instructions below provide the steps to take. This process should take no longer than five minutes.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information is correct and select ADDRESS VERIFIED – START SURVEY
6. Answer the first four introduction questions and then select the best answer in question 5 that reflects your situation
a. If applicable, complete question 5a regarding the new operator’s information
7. Proceed to the Conclusion and then select Submit Survey
- How can I obtain my Survey Code?
USDA NASS is committed to protecting your private information and due to strict confidentiality policy, please call 888-424-7828 to obtain your code over the telephone. Once you have your survey code, please follow the steps below to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information is correct and select ADDRESS VERIFIED – START SURVEY, or make corrections by selecting MAKE CORRECTIONS
a. If you made Operation, Operator, or Contact Information corrections, select SAVE CHANGES – START SURVEY
6. Complete the census through the Conclusion section and select Submit Survey
- What should I do if I am having trouble reporting online?
If you have received a letter or questionnaire with a 12-digit survey code, please complete the following steps to attempt the survey again.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information is correct and select ADDRESS VERIFIED – START SURVEY, or make corrections by selecting MAKE CORRECTIONS
a. If you made Operation, Operator, or Contact Information corrections, select SAVE CHANGES – START SURVEY
6. Complete the census through the Conclusion section and select Submit Survey
There are some known software and browser compatibility issues. Please attempt to use a different browser, preferably an updated version Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, or a different platform (mobile vs desktop). If you continue to have issues accessing the online form, we apologize, and you can report via the paper copy of the questionnaire that was mailed to you.
- What should I do if my Survey Code is not working?
Please try again by following the steps below.
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information is correct and select ADDRESS VERIFIED – START SURVEY, or make corrections by selecting MAKE CORRECTIONS
a. If you made Operation, Operator, or Contact Information corrections, select SAVE CHANGES – START SURVEY
6. Complete the census through the Conclusion section and select Submit Survey
There are some known software and browser compatibility issues. Please attempt to use a different browser, preferably an updated version Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge, or a different platform (mobile vs desktop). If you still continue to have issues accessing the online form, we apologize, you can report via the paper copy of the questionnaire that was mailed to you.
- I completed my questionnaire online, but it still says “started.” How do I submit the form?
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov
2. Enter the 12-digit survey code in the box
3. Select My Active Surveys
4. Select the link that says UNITED STATES 2022 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE
5. Verify the contact information and your responses are correct and select Submit Survey
- How do I update my name/address(es)?
If you are responding by mail, note the name and/or address change on the front of the form in the address area. If you are responding online, make the name and/or address change in the appropriate screen, after you log in with your unique survey code.
- I’m not a farmer. I think I received this form by mistake. Do I still have to fill it out?
Yes. Everyone who receives an ag census form is required by law to fill it out – even if you do not believe you qualify as a farmer. Simply answer what you can and return the form. If you’re not a producer, it will take you just a few moments and we will update our records. Responding online at www.agcounts.usda.gov is fast and secure. The online questionnaire automatically skips questions and sections that do not pertain to you.
You may be surprised to learn that a farm is defined as any place, urban or rural, that produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year. So many people who do not think they are farmers actually are, according to this official definition. If you have horses, backyard chickens, urban or rooftop gardens, etc., you may qualify for the ag census.
- I already filled out my ag census online. Do I have to fill out the paper questionnaire too?
Thank you for participating in the ag census. If you have already responded online at agcounts.usda.gov, via the code mailed in November or the code on your paper questionnaire, you do not need to fill out the paper questionnaire too. You have completed your requirement to respond and do not need to mail back the paper version.
- How did you get my name?
To ensure the most complete count of farms and ranches in the United States, USDA maintains a list of individuals who we know or believe produce agriculture. In addition to maintaining our own lists, we obtain names from other public and private sources associated with agriculture. Some of the lists do not indicate whether the addressee is an agricultural producer but do indicate that the addressee might be. You may have received the ag census if your name appeared on one or more of those lists.
We understand that sometimes a list we receive may not be up to date. If you’re a producer, your information is important. We appreciate you taking the time to help us make sure our mailing list is accurate. If you are determined to not be a producer after completing your form, you will be removed from the list.
- Where is my ag census questionnaire?
Did you receive a survey code in the mail? An invitation to respond online with your survey code was mailed Nov. 22. The paper questionnaire mails December 13.
If you did not receive a survey code in the mail, did you receive the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS)? Producers who receive the ARMS questionnaire only need to respond to the ARMS survey. It counts as your submission for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. You do not need to complete both.
- What is my survey code to respond online?
The survey code to respond online is the unique code located on the front page of the questionnaire.
USDA NASS is committed to protecting your private information and due to strict confidentiality policy, we are not able to provide your survey code over email. If you have misplaced your questionnaire, please call 888-424-7828 to obtain your code over the telephone.
- What if I am involved in more than one operation?
Complete the form for the one operation that best matches the label.
- Why did I receive multiple survey forms?
If you received more than one form, please complete one for each separate operation you conduct. If you have only one operation, please complete one form, write “DUPLICATE” on the other forms and return them all in the same envelope.
- Are my data and information protected and confidential?
Title 7, U.S. Code, and CIPSEA, Public Law 107-347, guarantees to all respondents that their individual information will remain 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 Census records is also protected from disclosure through the Freedom of Information Act.
- Where can I find Census of Agriculture data?
Census of Agriculture data is available on the NASS website as PDF files, QuickStats - a searchable database, through your local NASS field office, at many depository libraries, universities and other state government offices. NASS offers key videos and highlight publications including Farm Demographics and Farm Economics. The 2022 Census of Agriculture is scheduled for publication in 2024.
- I am not a producer. I only do the Conservation Reserve Program. Why did I get an ag census?
CRP payments (and some other government payments) are essentially considered farm income, even if the land isn’t being used to produce agriculture. There are questions in the ag census specifically about CRP. Answer what you can on the questionnaire. It will take only a few minutes. The paper form will tell you which sections and pages to jump to, but consider responding online at agcounts.usda.gov. The online form automatically skips questions and sections that do not pertain to you, saving you some time.
- I do not see my question on this page. How can I get my question answered?
Use the “Contact Us” form located on the bottom of the page with details or call 888-424-7828 to contact our Customer Support, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
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