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Agriculture census form deadline nears
RICHMOND - In late December, farmers throughout Virginia received Census of Agriculture reporting forms from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. NASS reminds farmers the deadline for returning the completed forms is Feb. 4.
Producers can return their forms by mail or can fill out the Census online at this secure site: http:// www.agcensus.usda.gov/ OnlineResponse/index.asp.
According to Herman Ellison, Director of the Virginia NASS field office, "The Census of Agriculture is the responsibility of every farmer and rancher, regardless of the size or type of operation. For Census purposes, a farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year, 2007.
"It is extremely important that all farmers return their forms by the Feb. 4, deadline, because only with full participation will the Census present an accurate picture of Virginia agriculture. Census information is used by many organizations, businesses, agencies, planners, policy makers and the farmers themselves to develop production and market strategies, and plan for the future so it's vital that it is accurate."
NASS will release Census data, in both electronic and print formats, beginning in February 2009. Census of Agriculture data is available online at www.nass.usda.gov. For additional information, check www.agcensus.usda.gov or call the Agricultural Statistics hotline at 1- 800-727-9540.
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