WASHINGTON, April 9, 2014 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced it will publish the 2012 Census of Agriculture full report on May 2, at Noon ET. The complete data series will be available in multiple formats, including Quick Stats 2.0 – an online database to retrieve customized tables with Census data at the national, state and county levels.
The announcement comes as the National Agri-Marketing Association’s (NAMA) Annual Conference kicks off this year in Jacksonville, FL. NAMA is the nation’s largest association for professionals in agribusiness and marketing. NAMA members are key users of Census data.
“We are excited to share the upcoming May 2 Census of Agriculture release date at the NAMA conference,” said Renee Picanso, NASS Census and Survey Division Director. “NASS mailed the first Census questionnaire more than a year ago, and after collecting and analyzing the data, we are ready to deliver an amazing tool that will help producers as well as those who serve farmers and rural communities.”
When released, the 2012 Census of Agriculture will provide information at the national, state and county levels. The publication will include highly anticipated data on a range of topics, including agricultural practices, conservation, organic production, as well as traditional and specialty crops.
The final publication will provide more in-depth information than NASS released in February’s preliminary 2012 Census report on farms and land in farms, economics, and demographics. The 2012 Census final report will also give first-time or expanded data on biomass production, equine, Internet access, regional food marketing and distribution, land use practices and agroforestry.
Conducted only once every five years, the Census of Agriculture illustrates the power of data. Results from the Census will inform smart policymaking that helps farmers and ranchers.
“By providing the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data down to the county level, the Census can help your operation, industry, and community,” said Picanso. “At USDA we already see preliminary Census data help shape programs and initiatives that benefit young and beginning farmers and ranchers; expand access to resources that help women, veteran and minority farmers and ranchers; and help farmers and ranchers diversify into new markets, including local and regional food systems, specialty crops and organic production.
“We are anxious to hear how people are accessing and using the new Census data and have created an online system called Your Census. Your Story. at www.agcensus.usda.gov for people to share this information. If you use Census data in your organization or business, we hope you will use this tool to let us know how the data help you,” Picanso continued.
In releasing preliminary 2012 Census of Agriculture data on February 20, NASS provided a glimpse of results at the national and state level. The full 2012 Census publication released on May 2 will provide a more complete picture of agriculture in the United States down to the county level. Because NASS continues to review all 2012 Census data items, the estimates published in February may change with the final Census release.
For more information about the Census, including the preliminary data, the Your Census. Your Story. interface, and access to the full 2012 Census report when released, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.