Supplemental Supporting Statement Part B for Substantive Changes June 2021

S1UPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTING STATEMENT Part B

ARMS 1, ARMS 2, ARMS 3, Fruit Chemical Use Survey and State Cooperative Surveys

Substantive Change

OMB No. 0535-0218

This substantive change is being submitted as a supplemental supporting statement to the Agricultural Resource Management Surveys (ARMS) regarding the ARMS 1, ARMS 2, ARMS 3, Fruit Chemical Use Survey and several State cooperative surveys.

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.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, NASS field enumerators will continue conducting surveys by telephone rather than by in person interviews, until it is safe to do so. NASS will also be using computer assisted web interviews to collect data for some of the surveys included in this approval.

There will be no changes to the universe covered by these revised surveys. Training will be provided to the NASDA enumerators so that they can respond to any questions or concerns the respondents may have relating to these changes.

Response rates for recent surveys are in the following tables.

The universe for the new Minnesota cooperative survey is all active agricultural operations in Minnesota that grow corn or soybeans. The universe is determined by active farms on the NASS List Frame for Minnesota. The sampling frame will be stratified corn and soybean acres as a measure of size. The sampling frame will be sorted by county before a systematic random sample is drawn. The sample size will be 7,600. Phone follow-up contacts for non-respondents will be done to ensure a high level of coverage for each Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Management Areas (PMA), and Nitrogen Best Management Practices (BMP).

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

NASS will continue to utilize phone enumeration and computer assisted web interviews when possible for all surveys. This is in response to the need for social distancing due to the pandemic.

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 will be an increased usage of phone enumeration instead of personal enumeration for data collection in 2021, due to the Coronavirus. Enumerators will be trained on the new questions to address any concerns the respondents may have, to minimize respondent burden.

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

NASS survey methodologists conducted six remote usability interviews with NASDA Field Enumerators in April and May for the 2021 ARMS Phase 2 Questionnaires. No cognitive interviews were conducted for this round of surveys.

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.

Survey design and methodology are determined by the Summary, Estimation, and Disclosure Methodology Branch, Statistics Division; Branch Chief is Jeff Bailey, (202) 690-8141.

Sample sizes for each State are determined by the Sampling, Editing, and Imputation Methodology Branch, Methods Division; Branch Chief is Mark Apodaca, (202) 690-8141.

Data collection is carried out by NASS Field Offices; Eastern Field Operation’s Director is Jody McDaniel (202) 720-3638 and the Western Field Operation’s Director is Troy Joshua, (202) 720-8220.

The NASS survey statisticians in Headquarters listed below are responsible for coordination of sampling, questionnaires, data collection, and other Field Office support. Branch Chief is Gerald Tillman, (202) 720-3895; Section Head is Torey Lawrence (202) 720-5921.

May 2021

4