NEW - Quick Response Surveys For Cooperators Generic Clearance - SSB - 2019Feb07

Supporting Statement - Part B

QUICK RESPONSE FOR COOPERATOR-FUNDED SURVEYS

GENERIC CLEARANCE

From the

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE (NASS)

OMB No. 0535-NEW

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The Census of Agriculture defines a farm as any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. The definition has changed nine times since it was established in 1850. According to the 2017 Farms and Land in Farms Release (February 2018), there were about 2.05 million farms in the US.

For most of the surveys in this generic request, a subset of operations meeting the Census of Agriculture farm definition will be used. In these circumstances, the survey sample will be tailored to the specific needs of the individual survey. Examples of these special-purpose samples include surveys that are restricted to a particular subgroup (e.g., operations that produce a specific commodity, farms of specific sizes, farms in a specific geographic location, etc.).

Farms that meet the population definition, and who are on NASS’s List Sampling Frame will be included in the universe. The list frame includes all known agricultural establishments. A profile, known as control data, of each establishment is maintained on the list frame to allow NASS to define list frame sampling populations for specific surveys and to employ efficient sampling designs.

Based on the goals of the sponsoring cooperator, it is anticipated that farm size, sales, location, and possibly other variables will be used to define the strata for population definition and sampling purposes.

For some of the surveys in this generic request, the population may not be farms, but other populations related to agriculture. For these surveys, the population will be described in the abbreviated clearance package submitted for the survey.

No previous response rate information is available since this is a new information collection.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• estimation procedure,

• degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

• unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures

Overview – As with all NASS surveys, the goals are to collect data from at least 80% of the records sampled and to achieve a weighted unit response rate of at least 70% of the production data or production area. We plan to utilize mail and Computer Aided Self Interviewing (if budgeted) as the primary modes of data collection. Non-respondents will be contacted via telephone and face-to-face (if budget allows) interviews.

Sampling – The target population will be farms for most surveys in this generic clearance. However, the specific subset of the farm population will differ for each survey. Some surveys will have a different target population and utilize a cooperator-provided list for the target population. The target population will be provided for each survey when it is submitted to OMB for approval.

Efficient sampling designs are an integral part of the surveys in this generic request. For the surveys in this request, a general approach to sampling is designed and modified as necessary to meet the specific goals of the study. For example, many NASS surveys use stratified probability-proportionate-to-size (PPS) sampling designs to ensure that: (a) estimates with specified levels of sampling precision can be obtained for key subgroups of interest, and (b) both categorical and quantitative variables can be estimated reliably. Survey-specific methodology will be provided for each survey when it is submitted to OMB for approval.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

NASS Regional Office staff routinely visit producers and industry organizations to promote the programs and importance of cooperating. NASS maintains a presence at National industry meetings, often setting up promotional booths at trade shows. Occasionally, letters of endorsement are obtained from industry leaders. Most States conduct a full non-response follow up.

NASS relies on multiple modes for collecting data. The questionnaires are mailed to the respondents who can either return them by postage paid envelope, email, fax, Computer Aided Web Interviewing, or telephone. If we have not received a response within the allotted time, phone (and possible field) enumerators will be used to contact the respondents.

With funding provided by the cooperator, NASS will work with the cooperator on a survey promotion plan to maximize response.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

The sponsoring cooperator will be asked to provide examples of previous research for NASS to consider during the internal methodology review. If cognitive testing is needed and budgeted, NASS has a general clearance for cognitive testing under control number 0535-0248

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Survey design and methodology are determined by the Summary, Estimation, and Disclosure Methodology Branch, Methodology Division; Branch Chief is Jeff Bailey, (202)720-4008.

Sample sizes for each State are determined by the Sampling, Editing, and Imputation Methodology Branch, Methodology Division; Branch Chief is Mark Apodaca, (202)720-5805.

Questionnaire design methodology is determined by the Standards and Survey Development Methodology Branch, Methodology Division; Branch Chief is Dan Beckler, (202)720-8858.

The NASS survey administration, data collection, estimation, and publication are carried out by NASS Regional Field Offices; Troy Joshua is the Western Field Operations Director. Jay Johnson is the Eastern Field Operations Director (202) 720-3638. The survey administrators are responsible for coordination of sampling, questionnaires, documentation, training, data processing.

February 2019