Agricultural Surveys Program

(sample respondent letter for use in October-November)

October xx, 2007

Dear Respondent:

The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) would like to thank you for your participation in the monthly Agricultural Yield Survey Program. Because the November survey is the last and most important yield survey of the season, we encourage you to respond as soon as possible.

Since this is our last opportunity to get the best assessment of crop conditions, we are contacting (State) growers, such as yourself, to collect data on acres you expect to harvest and yield for (commodity) and (commodity). To keep us from having to contact you by telephone, please take those few minutes to complete and return your questionnaire. Or, for your convenience, you may also respond to the survey online through a secure web site.

The information reported by you is kept confidential by federal law. NASS safeguards the confidentially of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can e identified.

Again, thank you for your support of our programs and (State) agriculture. If you have any questions or concerns, I may be contacted at (800)-xxx-xxxx.

Sincerely,

(Director’s Name)

Director

Enclosure