Organic producers certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are being asked to participate in a production survey.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and Risk Management Agency are cooperating on the survey, according to a news release from the agency. The surveys have been mailed to certified organic producers.
Certified growers who have not received a survey should call the NASS Oregon field office at 800-338-2157.
Part of the information from the survey will be used to determine rates for crop insurance and to develop new approaches to crop insurance, Chris Mertz, NASS Oregon field office director said in the release.
“In 2008, NASS reported that average production expenditures are higher for organic farms — $171,978 — than for all farms nationwide — $109,359” the release stated. “Collecting this new information will help the USDA … ensure USDA certified organic producers receive equitable insurance rates and programs for the food and fiber they produce.”
Information collection is scheduled to continue through April 2012. Questions include: acres planted, acres harvested, quantity harvested, quantity sold, value of sale and marketing practices for field crops, vegetables, fruits, tree nuts and berries, livestock, poultry and livestock products.
Producers can respond by mail, Internet, telephone or in person. To respond online visit www.agcounts.usda.gov, and be sure to have your survey mailing label handy because codes on the envelop are required to complete the survey online. As with all NASS surveys, respondents are guaranteed by law that their individual information is kept confidential, according to the agency news release.
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