Census Organic Survey - Initial Letter

United States

Department

of Agriculture

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

May xx, 2009

Dear Agricultural Producer:

On behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, I am requesting your assistance with the Census Organic Production Survey. This is the first time in the history of USDA and this survey is being conducted. This is a great milestone in the agricultural community, resulting in valuable information on this quickly growing sector of the industry.

The Census Organic Production Survey must be accurate to provide the most benefit. As such, we are asking you to carefully complete and return the enclosed census form. Responses will be reported in aggregate form only (all individual responses are kept confidential) with trends and composite data available to you, your local community, your congressional representatives, and members of the general public.

As a reminder, the Census Organic Production Survey is a follow-on to the 2007 Census of Agriculture and therefore is both required by law and protected by law (Title 7, U.S. Code). As with all information collected by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Federal law requires that your individual answers are kept completely confidential. No information associated with any individual’s name is shared with any other Federal, State or local agency, nor with any other agency within USDA.

As an alternative to the enclosed form, the Census Organic Production Survey can be reported via the Internet at www.agcensus.nass.usda.gov. This option will work better with a high-speed connection. Please follow the instructions on the site. You will need your report form with your Census ID printed on the label. If you have problems accessing or using the Web site, please call (888) 424-7828 (toll free).

Please help us make this survey a success and give your voice to U.S. agriculture by completing and returning the enclosed report form or responding via the Internet by

June xx, 2009. If you need guidance or have questions, call (888) 424-7828 (toll free). Please have your Census ID number (printed on the address label of your report form) handy if you call.

Thank you for taking part in this effort to provide a complete, accurate and timely Census Organic Production Survey. This truly is your opportunity to speak out and make a positive impact for your community and for U.S. agriculture. It is your future, your voice, your responsibility.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cynthia Z. Clark

Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Enclosures