Sample Cover Letter - Pennsylvania Aquaculture

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Northeastern Regional Field Office
Cooperating with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

March 7, 2022

Dear Pennsylvania Aquaculture Producer,
The Pennsylvania office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is requesting your
response to the Pennsylvania Aquaculture Census. Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and return them
in the included postage paid envelope by March 25th, 2022. Aquaculture producers whose completed
questionnaires have not reached our office by March 25th, 2022, will be contacted by telephone to request
completion of the survey.
Response to this census is required by Pennsylvania law per section 4217 of the Agriculture Act of
1998. This act states that persons licensed under sections 4220 and 4222 whose businesses involve the sale of
fish shall submit a summary report of sales specifying the amount or weight of each species sold and gross
receipts. The contents shall be used by the department solely for statistics. The individual summary reports are
not public records and shall not be made public.
These data will be used as a basis for reporting the amount and value of aquaculture products sold.
Businesses and government organizations need independent and unbiased information to accurately assess
industry needs. Producers and processors also use the data to help develop marketing strategies. Thank you in
advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Veronica Pereira, the
survey coordinator, at (800)- 498-1518.
Sincerely,

King Whetstone
Director, Northeastern Regional Field Office
Enclosure (1)

4050 Crums Mill Rd, Suite 203, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17112
www.nass.usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.