By Keri Collins Lewis
Mississippi farmers, ranchers and landowners who raise or sell $1,000 or more in farm products can still respond to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture mailed more than 60,000 census forms in Mississippi. The original deadline for completing the federally mandated survey was Feb. 5, 2018. However, participants can avoid follow-up phone calls, mailings and personal visits by sending in or completing the online survey this spring.
Steve Martin, associate director of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the data gathered in the census influences important decisions made at the state and federal levels.
“In addition to showing the value of agriculture in Mississippi and the U.S., the information gathered in the census shapes farm policy, indicates promising locations for ag-related businesses and influences program development for young or beginning farmers and ranchers,” Martin said.
Participants can access the online survey on desktop and laptop computers as well as mobile devices. The online version also performs calculations and allows participants to skip irrelevant sections, which allows them to save time.
As required by law, the survey results are anonymous and no individual producer or farming operation will be identified.