National Agriculture Workers Survey (NAWS) provides an understanding of the manpower resources available to U.S. agriculture. It is the national source of information on the demographic, occupational health and employment characteristics of hired crop workers.
With the proposed changes, there will be a decrease of 204 burden hours. The decrease is spread across crop workers (-100 hours), ineligible employers (-52 hours), and eligible employers (-52 hours). The decrease of 100 hours among crop workers obtains from the reduction in the average time per interview. The decrease of 104 hours among eligible and ineligible employers (52 hours for each group) is attributed to the expansion of the NAWS sample to include respondents and employers who were once ineligible for the survey (i.e., including employers that exclusively employ H-2A workers will decrease the likelihood that NAWS enumerators will contact a farm only to find it ineligible for the survey).
The estimates presented in Table 5 below reflect NAWS FY 2023 employer eligibility and participation rates. The observed increases in employer response rates and the number of interviews per farm from FY 2021 to FY 2023 are likely due to a return to normal operations following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cost of this burden will decrease by $473 relative to FY 2021.
The per respondent time burden estimates for crop workers are expected to decrease by approximately 3.5 minutes due to a combination of efficiency gains from computer-assisted survey administration and the discontinuation/condensation of questions that are no longer relevant to stakeholder interests. As NAWS enumerators gain experience with administering the new questions, the average expected duration of the survey is likely to continue to decrease.
The observed increases in employer response rates and the number of interviews per farm from FY 2021 to FY 2023 are likely due to a return to normal operations following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cost of this burden will decrease by $313 relative to FY 2021.
The per respondent time burden estimates for crop workers are expected to decrease by approximately 3.5 minutes due to a combination of efficiency gains from computer-assisted survey administration and the discontinuation/condensation of questions that are no longer relevant to stakeholder interests. As NAWS enumerators gain experience with administering the new questions, the average expected duration of the survey is likely to continue to decrease.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
signed_PRA Signature Form_PRA Package for National Agricultural Workers Survey.pdf
1205-0453_NAWS_Supporting Statement Part B _for CEO Review (4)_12.06.2024.docx
Employers - Point of Contact Questions