National Agricultural Classification Survey

[JoannaCW]

Somehow or other our small nonprofit-owned homestead has flown under the radar for some years, but this year we've received (twice, now) copies of the 2014 National Agricultural Classification Survey. From what I can tell by looking info up online, this is to determine whether or not we'll have to fill out a form for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. We'd rather not do that but I'm not sure what choice/recourse we have and I wonder how others here have handled this issue.

This survey says that 'response is voluntary' but they've sent it twice and this time they say they'll call if they don't hear from us. We can't honestly say that we're not in the group required to fill out the Census of Agriculture, and it looks to me as though we are legally required to fill out a census form if they send one to us.

I have two reasons for being reluctant to fill this out. One is nuisance and inaccuracy. I've looked at the instructions for the 2012 COA and it looks as though the form was very long and was designed for larger-scale operations growing food to sell. We grow food to eat and to give to neighbors and a soup kitchen, and don't even try to figure out and record what would be the 'market value' of that food--which they say institutions must do. We don't have 'acreage' of any vegetable crops--we have garden beds of them. We don't fit the forms well and trying to fill them out would be a hassle for me and not provide much useful info for them.

The other reason may well be paranoid. I wonder if the census is at all linked to NAIS, which strikes me as intrusive and unhelpful. I am aware that the website says census data is not shared with other government agencies. I still find myself wondering.

I'm thinking of calling the helpline and saying that if they really want small producers to fill this form out they need to come out with a streamlined and scale-appropriate form for small producers. I am not sure....Has anyone else dealt with this? Any thoughts?

[Phil V.]

We got it as well in years past. Filled it out and sent it back. A friend did not fill it out or sent it back in after receiving it 4 times and was paid a visit. He was asked all the questions on the form and the people checked all of his buildings and livestock to see what he had. It's just easier to fill out the questionnaire than getting some ag official coming out even though you don't like it. I don't like it either but I fill it out and send it back.

[rambler]

This discussion comes up equally in the homesteading and big farm areas equally.

Everybody hates the censues, finds thrm a waste of time, and fills them out very fast with numbers out of their head in 2 minutes or throws thrm away.

Tiny homestead or big 10,000 acre farm, all the same.

The data collected makes a nice 'census of agriculture' book, now online:

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/

This data gets used by lobbiests and congress people and state and county govt people to work up govt programs, extension programs, and so on to 'help' people in this country and other countries.

If you have 500 CSA garden farmers filling out the forms in your area, you will find in 5 years a lot more services available to educate people on small gardens, help for setting up farmers markets, space for farmers markets, fliers on govt buildings promoting small farms, etc.

If the 500 people around you fill out 1000 acre corn and soybean forms, then you will see a lot of that info show up around you instead.

Both you and the big farmer will shear at those things, and find it a big waste of tax money, and occasionally you'll actually, maybe indirectly, use some of that material or assistance or space.

Anyhow, those census' are a lot of angst over nothing. Nobody really cares. The govt is persistent about getting info from you, they will mail, call, and even visit you. They won't throw you in jail. They will pool your info in a big fat book as I linked, and that's the end of it. If you send in very accurate and detailed info, you might be the only one......

Don't worry about it too much. I think I've got 2 on my counter here and just erased the message left in my answering machine. If they catch me on the phone, I'll answer the questions as fast as I can, more or less close to what I recall my crops are. I will be faster than I am accurate.....

Paul

[kasilofhome]

If you fill out the form you and others could have lobbyist getting a large cut of money and favoring those who fund him the best


Check If there an omb No# on the form.
Remember you can do anything till the government gets involved and once involved has the right to control


You did not and will not create and build any business...you are weak and can't live with out the government to regulate you.

[oregon woodsmok]

There's government money floating around and how much our area gets depends upon how much agriculture is there. Do you want an extension agent? How about money for water systems or purification. How about an AAFES veterinarian in the area?

That money goes to where there is agriculture.

Another benefit, in my area, is you will have some developer agitating because he wants the land that those useless greenhouses are on. We can say, "Wait just a minute, buddy. Cut flowers are a 15 million dollar a year industry." Those surveys give you the data to fight with.

[Wanda]

You said it was ''a nonprofit-owned homestead''. Does this mean the homestead filed as tax exempt? If it is a term you used to say you were not trying to profit it is all together different.

[JoannaCW]

Sorry, Wanda, that wasn't very clear of me. The land is owned by a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation. So I am used to filling in the tax information forms the gov't sends to nonprofits; we don't fit those forms very well either (they assume that nonprofits have paid employees, and there's no check-box for 'we get room and board'), but imprecise/inaccurate answers can cause a lot of legal trouble. So I think I overreacted to the census form--sounds as though very rough estimates are par for the course. Thanks all.

[kasilofhome]

What impact would others face by farmer working hard and not putting his hand out to the government.

Is it because those volunteering to fill out the forms have dreams of high participation to sweeten the pot of hand outs and want those who do not want hand out will only increase the pay out to those who want money.

Our nation is deep in debt we cannot afford gift bags of money to those who want it.

[JoannaCW]

Not sure I understand the 'gift bags of money" bit. I've been grateful for occasional pro bono advice on farming and forestry from the Cooperative Extension (when our county can afford to keep an agent--that's been intermittent) or the Soil and Water Conservation District. We also pass on whatever we know to whoever wants to know free of charge. I agree that it's vital to work hard; any help we can get with working smart in addition is welcome.

[kasilofhome]

Working smart might mean waiting to afford....and lobbying for money that has not been earned is a gift bag.

Davie Crockett, while in office taught a generation of past that charity was NOT the duty of the government.

Why not simply join up voluntarily with like minded to afford items that you independently cannot afford vs.....quilting and promoting that your want requires payer finance your want.

It is a mind set.