Certified Organic Production Survey Key Messages

Key Messages For the Certified Organic Production Survey

The 2007 Census of Agriculture showed more than 20,000 farms engaged in organic production in the United States.

The USDA is conducting a wide-scale survey of certified organic agriculture.

Through the Certified Organic Production Survey, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will gather information on how the growth of organic farming is changing the face of U.S. agriculture.

This survey gives certified organic producers an opportunity to share their voices and help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of organic farming in the United States.

The survey results will help shape decisions regarding farm policy, funding allocations, availability of goods and services, community development and other key issues.

In addition, the information can help producers of organic agriculture make informed decisions about the future of their own organic production operations.

The survey will look at organic farming during the 2011 calendar year, including:

• Production of field crops, vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, berries, livestock and poultry

• Marketing practices, including wholesale, retail and direct-to-consumer sales

Respondents are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U.S. Code) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals. The report cannot be used for purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulation. The privacy of individual Census records is also protected from disclosure through the Freedom of Information Act.

Survey forms will be mailed in early December 2011 and responses are due by December 20.

Respondents are encouraged to complete the Certified Organic Production Survey online via a secure Web-based response system. Online response not only saves the respondent time, but will save the government money on return postage and data entry. To enter the online system, respondents will need the ID number printed on the mailing label of their survey form.

Survey results will be published in the fall of 2012 and will be available online.

For more information or for help completing your form, call 888.424.7828 (toll-free), or visit www.nass.usda.gov.