Sample Cover Letter

U nited States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Insert Date Here

Dear Producer,

Enclosed is your Maple Syrup Survey questionnaire. This survey measures the size and condition of the maple industry in [State(s)] each year. Maple syrup producers, processors and commodity markets all rely on the results from this survey to make sound and informed business decisions and to help promote the maple syrup industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will publish the data in the monthly Crop Production report, to be released on June XX, 20XX.

Please respond to the survey in either of the following ways:

• Online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. This is the most timely, secure, and cost-effective option. You need the identification number on the enclosed form to begin.

• By mail or fax. Complete the survey questionnaire and mail it back in the return envelope provided or fax it to (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

If you do not respond by May XX, we will contact you to arrange a telephone or personal interview. Please be assured that your responses are completely confidential, as required by Federal law. We safeguard the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this report and support for the maple syrup industry and U.S. Agriculture.

Sincerely,

Joe Parsons

Chairman, Methods Division

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Enclosure

1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, D.C. 20250

www.nass.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.