Western Governor Association Reply Letter

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

April 22, 2021
James Ogsbury
Executive Director
Western Governors Association

Dear Mr. Ogsbury,
Thank you for the letter of support for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. As you are probably
aware, NASS is one of only thirteen Federal Agencies whose primary mission is statistical in
nature. Our data is protected under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical
Efficiency Act (CIPSEA). The data we collect from farm and ranch operators is kept confidential
and is only released to the public as summarized data. NASS does use data collected by States
whenever possible to minimize respondent burden, and any raw data that NASS obtains from
other government agencies is also protected by CIPSEA. Rest assured that NASS will not
disclose any PII data.
NASS is a non-regulatory agency; we are strictly a statistical agency. In your detailed letter you
provided a great deal of insight into how accurate and timely data are important to you and how
it impacts both State and Federal policies. We greatly appreciate the information. We will be
happy to share your letter with other USDA agencies, so they are aware of your concerns.
NASS works closely with other USDA agencies such as AMS, NRCS, NIFA, RD, FS, and ERS.
NASS also works with agencies outside of the USDA such as the Department of Labor, Census
Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. We collect data that addresses the needs of many
other agencies as well as land-grant universities and other research organizations.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), all Federal Agencies are required to minimize
respondent burden on the general public by limiting the amount of data collected and the
frequency of the data collections. The PRA also restricts the collection of data that is available
within the Federal Government already. We would not be able to collect any information such as
broadband or internet availability that the FCC may be collecting, and instead we must identify
unique data that targets farm and ranch operators that is not available elsewhere.
NASS is currently testing a questionnaire for the 2022 Census of Agriculture (OMB control
number 0535-0243) that includes updates based on feedback we received from the 2017 Census.
I have attached a copy of the questionnaire.
You commented on the need for data on a regular and timely basis. NASS data is released
according to our calendar of publications, which can be found at
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Calendar/reports_by_date.php.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NASS also collects data through cooperative agreements that we have with other Federal
agencies, State Departments of Agriculture, universities and some producer associations. This
data is also made public, but in aggregate form only.
NASS would greatly appreciate any encouragement your organization could provide, for farmers
and ranchers in your area to participate in NASS data collection efforts.
I think that the data collected by NASS addresses many of the issues you mentioned in your
letter. However, if there are additional questions that we could add to existing surveys that would
provide clarity or target a specific issue, we would be happy to discuss this further with you.
Sincerely,
Digitally signed by
JOSEPH PARSONS
Date: 2021.04.28
11:36:11 -04'00'

Joseph L. Parsons
Chair, Agricultural Statistics Board
U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service