Sample Cover Letter

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

April 28, 2017

Dear Survey Respondent,
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting a
survey for the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program. These reports are crucial
to U.S. economic policy. They help industries such as yours in analyzing markets, forecasting,
and decision making.
This survey is a census of the U.S. crushing, refining, or rendering operations. We ask that you
provide information on consumption, production, or stocks.
Please respond by May 15, 2017, in one of the following ways:



Online at www.agcounts.usda.gov beginning May 1, 2017. All you need is the survey
code on the enclosed form to begin.
By mail. Complete the questionnaire and mail it back in the return envelope provided.

If we do not hear from you by May 15, 2017, one of our representatives will contact you.
If you have any questions about this program, please email [email protected] or
call 1-888-424-7828. Thank you for participating in this vital program!
Sincerely,

Joseph L. Parsons
Chair, Agricultural Statistics Board
National Agricultural Statistics Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, D.C. 20250
www.nass.usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

It’s Convenient. It’s Secure.

Online Survey Response
Responding to your agriculture survey online is both convenient and
secure.
The online form:
 lets you skip questions that don’t apply to you
 calculates totals automatically
 eliminates the need for return postage and data entry

To complete your survey online, follow these steps:
1. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov.
2. Read the message, then click the arrow to complete the survey.
3. Enter your unique 17-digit Survey Code from the label on the letter or
questionnaire you received in the mail, then click “Continue.”

4. Find the survey you are completing and click on it.
5. Verify and complete your contact information, then continue to the survey.
6. Complete the survey questions.
If you need to stop, press the “Save & Return Later” tab at the top of the page. When
you return, go back to Step 1 above. After the opening page, the survey tool will take
you to the last page you visited.
7. When you finish the survey, click “Submit.” If you do not see the Submit button,
reduce the zoom setting on your screen.

You will receive a confirmation code and can choose to view your completed survey
form. Using the options provided by your browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Mozilla,
etc.), you can print, copy, or save the completed form.