Supplementary Supporting Statement Part B for Minnesota Pesticide and Fertilizer Survey

SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTING STATEMENT Part B

Pesticide & Fertilizer Survey - Minnesota

Substantive Change

OMB No. 0535-0218

This substantive change is being submitted as a supplemental supporting statement to the Minnesota Pesticide & Fertilizer Survey. This document identifies changes made to the Minnesota Pesticide & Fertilizer Survey questionnaire conducted in 2020 referencing production year 2019 and future years.

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.

There will be no changes to the sampling or universe covered by these revised surveys. Training will be provided to the NASDA phone enumerators so that they can respond to any questions or concerns the respondents may have relating to these additional questions. Response rates are expected to be consistent with the original approval.

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

There are no changes to the procedures used for data collection from the original approval.

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.

There are no changes to the modes used for data collection from the original approval. Phone enumerators will be trained to follow the skip patterns in the questionnaires and to answer any questions the respondents may have in order to minimize respondent burden.

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

NASS has previous experience collecting chemical use and pest management data from other surveys in this information collection request. The new questions are similar to what NASS has collected previously. No additional testing was conducted for this survey.

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), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Sample sizes for each State are determined by the Sampling, Editing, and Imputation Methodology Branch, Methods Division; Branch Chief is Mark Apodaca, (202)720-5805.

Survey design and methodology as well as data collection operations are carried out by NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office in NASS Western Field Operations; Western Field Operation’s Director is Troy Joshua, (202) 720-8220.

November 2019

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