Cover Letter - First Mailing

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

April 4, 2016

Dear Agricultural Producer,
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is
conducting the first-ever Local Food Marketing Practices Survey. Your participation in this survey
will help meet the growing need for data on the local foods sector.
Your responses will increase the understanding of this type of business and help evaluate and inform
many of the USDA programs that support local food systems, including those provided by:
 Agricultural Marketing Service
 Farm Service Agency
 Food and Nutrition Service
 Risk Management Agency
 Rural Development
Please complete and return your form by May 2, 2016. You may respond in either of the following
ways:
 Online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. All you need is the identification number on the enclosed
form to begin.
 By mail. Complete the enclosed form and mail it back in the return envelope provided.
To learn more about NASS and the Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, visit
www.agcensus.usda.gov. Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions. You can also call
(888) 424-7828 or email nass@nass.usda.gov for assistance.
Sincerely,

Joseph T. Reilly
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Enclosures

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Follow these steps if you receive more
than one survey questionnaire for the same
operation:
1. Complete ONLY the GREEN
questionnaire
2. Write “DUPLICATE” on the
BLUE questionnaire (If the
questionnaires are the same color,
complete only one and write
‘DUPLICATE’ on the other(s))
3. Mail ALL questionnaires back in
the same return envelope provided

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.