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If you've read our April newsletter, you know that we are interested in the data from the recently published Agricultural Census. We'd love to hear your thoughts about the census. If you are a farmer, did you participate? Why or why not? What's your sense about the census finding 12,549 farmers who sold products through a CSA in '07? If you were in charge of the 2012 Census, what new questions would you include?
Tell us. Post your comments below.
One of our LocalHarvest farmers wrote an extensive blog entry on the methodology used for the census. Check it out here.
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I had no choice, they make you fill it out.
They call and call until you do. Then when you do fill it out turn it in a timely fashion, they still call you to make you answer the questions over the phone.
I find it another annoying goverment paperwork I need to fill out.
Posted by blossomfarm on May 06, 2009 at 04:41 PM CDT #
I would include a questioins about if the farmer supports the NAIS or not. This may raise awareness in farmers to check out this horrible program and rise up against it.
Posted by Christina Chambreau on May 12, 2009 at 03:57 PM CDT #
We got ours in the mail yesterday. Found it odd that we got the organic Census since we have not been certified organic since 2002. noticed that the farm name on the envelope was Boulder Belt Organics. Hmmm, We have not used that name in over 4 years and we were contacted by the USDA about a year ago and told to cease and desist using the name or get fined. Explained we had ceased using the name years ago.
Now I wonder if they are trying to entrap us as a farm using the term "organic" as a part of our marketing (we are not). i am hoping the wrong mane was just an honest mistake but did make sure to change the farm name and sent back the survey.
Posted by ohiorganic on May 14, 2009 at 03:17 PM CDT #
This might be a dumb question but I couldn't figure out where else to ask it: hope you don't mind. Can someone tell me what "Certified Ag Land Value" means?
To explain, I am renting (thinking of buying) a home in Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. I am what I consider an "urban homesteader" and am wondering if this means the land was, at some point, given an ag exemption?
Thanks!
Posted by KoyD on May 25, 2009 at 06:40 PM CDT #
I think this census will be useful for analysis purposes.
regards
SBL
http://www.sblgis.com/photogrammetry_services.aspx
Posted by GIS services on June 12, 2009 at 01:06 AM CDT #
It is a pain to fill out - my markets are so small. The one thing I hate the most is the question about ethnicity - what does it matter what color a farmer is - we are all human beings - so I refuse to answer and I write all over the page re the question and that I believe all we are is one race - human. I even fill in doctor's questionnaires when asked race - I am pink with a farmer's tan. Now if someone startes offering extra free grant money, we will all become whatever color it takes - - no I don't lie - I just get frustrated over this question - there's a human race - kinda like there are flowers - diversity is simply why there are not just roses.
Posted by okiedragon on July 08, 2009 at 09:40 PM CDT #
The information they request - including income - is none of their business. They tell you its held confidential but last year a corporation won a "freedom of information act" suit to release the data. After many appeals the USDA was forced to release the information - all of it. So much for it being confidential.
There is a penalty for not sending it back and for not answering truthfully. So I always send it back and on each page I write "NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS". I feel this meets both criteria - its the truth and it is a response.
Posted by Lisa on July 10, 2009 at 06:17 PM CDT #