Supporting Statement Part B - Supplementary

Supporting Statement - Part B

LAND LEASING SURVEY IN OKLAHOMA

OMB No. 0535-0264

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The respondent universe would target all active known farmers and ranchers that have positive values for income and expenses of land rented, and any operations that have positive values for income from recreational avenues.

Sampling will be conducted on the NASS List Frame of active farms and ranches for Oklahoma. Sampling will include strata based on value of sales and type of farm operation. Further stratification groups would be created based on 1) those who reported on other NASS surveys having income or expenses for land rented or income from recreational ag related sources, 2) those that reported none on previous NASS surveys, and 3) those that did not have a chance to report. While some of this population is similar to the Federal Cash Rents and Leases Survey Program, since this survey does not require weighting, sampling must ensure a representative sample of the Oklahoma populations is drawn to account for the other rental arrangements. However, the flexibilities of this survey requirements for publication allow sampling to minimize overlap of sampling between the two surveys to reduce respondent burden.

Telephone follow-up contacts for non-respondents will be done to ensure a high level of coverage for each farm type and district (eastern district & western district).

This is a new information collection under the Quick Response for Cooperator-funded Surveys Generic Clearance.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• estimation procedure,

• degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

• unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures

The Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Economics (OSU-DAE) publishes only number of reports, means, and distributions, so no weighting is required but clear stratification must be used to ensure a representative sample is defined at the district level.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

State Field Office staff routinely visit producers and industry organizations to promote the programs and importance of cooperating. NASS maintains a presence at National industry meetings, often setting up promotional booths at trade shows.

NASS relies on multiple modes for collecting data. The questionnaires are mailed to the respondents who can either return them by postage paid envelope, email, fax, or telephone. If we have not received a response within the allotted time, phone enumerators will be used to contact the respondents.

The OSU-DAE typically has a good mail response rate for surveys it conducts because producers in Oklahoma support and use information supplied by their Agricultural Department. We will determine response targets at the strata and district level to ensure reliable information is able to be published since OSU-DAE is solely publishing number of reports, means, medians, and distributions. Telephone follow-up or a phone-only targeted sample will be used to ensure those strata targets are achieved to allow for reliable data to be published.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

The OSU-DAE has refined their data collection questionnaire over the last 30+ years. While it is not perfect, it has been an effective tool for collecting this important data. If any questions are changed for future years, OSU-DAE will test those questions, or series of questions, to ensure sound data result from data collection. Oklahoma producers have been familiar with these questions and have consistently reported to OSU-DAE. While a strong effort was made to “repackage” the original questionnaire into a more flowing and user friendly data collection tool, the questions and intent behind the questions did not change.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Population and sample sizes are reviewed by the Agency's Sampling, Editing and Imputation Methodology Branch, Methods Division; Branch Chief is Mark Apodaca (202) 720-5805.

The NASS survey administration, sampling, and data collection are carried out by NASS Regional Field Offices; Eastern Field Operation’s Director is Jay Johnson, (202) 720-3638. The survey administrators are responsible for coordination of sampling, questionnaires, documentation, training, data processing.

Estimation, and publication are carried out by OSU-DAE. The lead investigator is Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, Head of the Agriculture Economics Department, Oklahoma State University, (405) 744-6161.

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