Cover Letter - Census - First Mailing - Dec 2017

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

December XX, 2017

Dear Farmer or Rancher,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting the 2017 Census of Agriculture to provide a complete picture of all the farms and ranches and the people who operate them in each state and county in the nation. Collected once every five years, this information is used to help make decisions that benefit you and your community – from decisions guiding succession planning and new and beginning farmer programs to decisions impacting agriculture practices, land stewardship and sustainability.

All farmers and ranchers who receive a census form are required to respond. If you are not farming, please reply promptly so we can update our records. You may respond in either of the following ways:

• Online – Secure online reporting is the easiest, fastest, and safest way to complete the census. Go to www.agcounts.usda.gov, read the message; then click the arrow to complete the survey. Enter your unique 17-digit response code from the census mailing label, then click “Continue.”

• By mail – Fill out the census form and return it in the envelope provided.

If you need assistance completing your census form, call toll free 1-888-424-7828. You will need the response code found on your census mailing label. The census of agriculture is protected by federal law to guarantee your personal identity and answers are kept confidential.

Thank you for responding and making the 2017 Census of Agriculture Your Voice, Your Future, Your Opportunity. For more information visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

Sincerely,

Hubert Hamer

Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service

United States Department of Agriculture

Enclosures

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.