Census Content Testing - Initial Letter

United States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

December XX, 2015

Dear Farmer or Rancher:

Once every five years, the Census of Agriculture provides a complete picture of agriculture and rural communities at the national, state, and local levels. To ensure its continued success, we need your help now testing the next Census of Agriculture questionnaire.

Your participation will help the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) develop and finalize the form that will be mailed to more than 3 million agricultural producers in the nation. Your input in this effort is vital!

Please respond by February X, 2016 in either of the following ways:

• Online at www.agcensus.usda.gov beginning January 1, 2016. Responding online is the easiest, fastest, and safest way to complete your questionnaire. All you need is the survey code on the enclosed form to begin.

• By mail. Complete the enclosed form and mail it back in the return envelope provided.

Responses to the census of agriculture are protected by law (Title 7, U.S. Code). As with all information collected by NASS, Federal law requires that your individual answers are kept confidential.

If you have questions, please call (888) 424-7828 or email nass@nass.usda.gov. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Sincerely,

Joseph T. Reilly

Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service

United States Department of Agriculture

Enclosures

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.