Sample Cover Letter

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

[Date]

Dear [Producer/Growers/Operator/Other title]:

Enclosed is your [Year] Turfgrass Economic Survey. This survey is being conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) under a cooperative agreement with Rutgers University. Your information is important. It will help: (1) evaluate the magnitude of the New Jersey turfgrass industry in terms of number of acres maintained, number of workers, turf related expenses, and its total contribution to the New Jersey economy, and (2) to characterize the nature of New Jersey’s turfgrass industry.

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

If we do not hear from you by [Date of Non-response calling], we [may/will- only use will if you know for certain the respondent will be called] contact you to arrange a telephone or personal interview.

The results of this survey will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by federal law. NASS will publish the survey results on [Date], in the [Publication name] report available at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.

Thank you for participating and for your support of agricultural statistics and [U.S./State] agriculture. If you have questions or concerns, please contact [Firstname Lastname] at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[State Statistician/Director/Title]

Enclosures

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

www.nass.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, lender and employer.