Pre-survey Letter - SAMPLE

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

[Your] Field Office

[Date]

Dear Producer:

For more than 50 years, the Objective Yield Survey has played an integral part in U.S. crop production forecasts. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) combines field measurements with farmer-reported survey data to publish monthly crop production estimates.

Information from the Objective Yield Survey will help you and other American farmers make informed business decisions on your operations.

The Objective Yield Survey will begin in late April for wheat and late July for corn, cotton, potatoes, and soybeans. During these timeframes, a NASS representative will visit you and other selected producers to verify crop acreage reported on previous NASS surveys. This visit will take 15 to 25 minutes of your time. With your permission, we will then enter your field(s) at the end of each month during the growing season to collect plant and fruit counts and measurements. Our monthly follow-up visits, if required, will not require your time.

Thank you in advance for your support of our programs and [State] agriculture. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (800) xxx-xxxx.

Sincerely,

[Director’s Name]

Director, [Regional] Field Office

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Enclosure

Mailing Address · City, State Zip

(000) 111-1111 · (000) 111-1111 FAX · www.nass.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.