USDA TO MEASURE THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE AG INDUSTRY

Economic Field Survey Coming to Maryland Farmers Soon

Annapolis, MD – Starting in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).  This survey will provide farmers with an opportunity to provide accurate, real-world data that will help shape the policies, programs and issues that affect them.
“ARMS asks a small, but representative, sample of farmers about their operation in order to understand the current financial state of Maryland agriculture,” said Barbara Rater, director of the NASS Maryland Field Office. “Participation in ARMS is so important because government and agricultural leaders use the information needed to make sound decisions that impact the future of farmers, their families, their businesses and their communities.”
The survey will be conducted between February and March.  In an effort to obtain the most accurate data, NASS will reach out to nearly 35,000 producers nationwide.  Out of Maryland’s 12,800 farms, only 200 will be surveyed.  Producers will be asked to provide data on their operating expenditures, capital improvements, labor use, assets and debt, production costs and household characteristics.
“Only 1 in 64 farms in Maryland will be surveyed. Given the current state of the national economy, it is critical that farmers participate in Agricultural Resource Management Survey,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “This survey is the best means of telling Washington how farmers are really faring down on the farm. It provides information that is not available anywhere else. Farm organizations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other government agencies, members of Congress, and State and local officials use the collective information from ARMS to answer questions and make important decisions concerning the economic viability of American agriculture, the rural economy and other emerging issues.”
As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified.
The economic data gathered in ARMS will be published in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on August 3, 2010. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
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