ARMS 3 Backgrounder Sheet

NASS Programs

Agricultural Resource Management
Survey (ARMS)

What is the Agricultural Resource Management Survey?
The Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) is an annual
USDA survey of farmers and ranchers to gather objective information on
the finances and production practices of U.S. farms and the
characteristics and economic well-being of farm households.

Why is ARMS Important?

It’s really about helping farmers:

ARMS Data are
Confidential by Law
The information you provide
will be used for statistical
purposes only and published
in aggregate form to ensure
that no individual operation or
producer can be identified.

• ARMS is the primary source of financial information on the nation’s
farms and ranches and their households.
• Policymakers use ARMS financial information to evaluate impacts of
programs introduced in the Farm Bill.
• University extension services use ARMS data in cost of production analysis and forecasting.
• The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis uses ARMS data to calculate the farm sector portion
of the U.S. gross domestic product .

How does USDA Collect ARMS Data?
We mail the survey on December 27, 2022, to more than 35,000 producers and collect the data:
• Online – Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov. Responding online is fast and secure.
To get started, all you need is your unique survey code which is included on your survey form.
• By mail or fax – Producers can complete their paper survey and return it by mail in the prepaid
envelope provided or fax it to 812-218-2232.
• By telephone interview - Interviewers may contact producers who do not respond by January 17,
2023 to set up a telephone appointment to complete the questionnaire. This interview can take over
an hour. It can be done all at once or in multiple appointments.

Want to Know More?
Completing this survey fulfills your 2022 Census of Agriculture requirement. We will publish the farm
economic data in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on July 21, 2023, at nass.usda.gov/
Publications. Data highlights will be available at nass.usda.gov/go/arms. Visit ers.usda.gov/arms for
reports from the Economic Research Service that include ARMS data.

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

September 2022
www.nass.usda.gov