Feature Article - for release the week of January 13, 2008

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

 

Stand up and be counted!

 

 

2008 is going to be a year for presidential politics, Chinese Olympics and with a prayer or two a good year for local property owners.  And for our agricultural producers, the beginning of this year has already started with a very important envelope that should have arrived in their mailbox.

Every 5 years the USDA pulls out all their pencils and papers and takes stock of what’s growing all over the country.  The Census of Agriculture is now underway.  All growers and ranchers are urged to fill it out and send it in. 

And, if they don’t get ‘er done, farmers can expect a visit from Cindy Brummett.  She’s a good friend of mine, and it’s her job to encourage all producers to complete their forms for the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

 

Why do we need farm figures?

Business owners need good numbers to make decisions.  Families need a budget and a cash flow summary to make a good family budget.  Likewise, our farm friends need good information on their individual and collective farming activities to plan for the future of Agriculture in our region and throughout the country.

According to Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Bronson, the input received by the Census helps shape the future of agriculture for many years.  He wants to make sure that the voices of our local farmers and ranchers are heard.        

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Census is a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them.  The Census looks at how land is used and owned, what are common characteristics of the operator, how they produce our food and fiber products, including income and expenditures. 

It is the ONLY source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation.

“Regardless of how large or small their operation or what kinds of products they produce, it's important for Florida farmers and ranchers to complete and return the form," Bronson said.  "By participating in the Census, they will help themselves and their communities."

"The Census of Agriculture provides information that benefits agricultural producers and their communities in many ways," Bronson said.  "For instance, policy-makers factor Census data into decisions concerning agricultural and rural programs.  Community planners use Census data to target needed services to rural residents.  Companies rely on Census data when determining where to locate their operations. And farmers themselves can use Census data to help make critical decisions about their businesses."

 

The survey is in the Mail

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed out Census forms on December 28, 2007.  They will ask about what was grown during the 2007 calendar year.  Completed forms are due by February 4, 2008.  Producers can return their forms by mail.  Or the form can be filled out online at a secure Census web site

Cindy is a 4-H Alumni that I met almost 20 years ago.  Our paths have taken us in different directions, but she remains enthusiastic about supporting Agriculture. She is now a proud 4-H parent here in Okeechobee, but for the next few months, her job is to “ketchup” with any farmer who does not return their Census form. 

If you get a form and are not a farmer, there’s a box to check that as a response, and return it.  If you grow anything – citrus, nursery plants, livestock – and did NOT get a form, call her or contact us and we will let Cindy know to get in touch with you. 

By the way, it is required by law to complete this form.  The same law says that the individual information provided is kept confidential, and will only be released after it is tabulated and combined with that of other producers.  When the full results are released in a year or so, readers will not be able to tell the size of a particular farm or the amount of money it made.

To reach Cindy, you can call her at her local phone number (863) 763-4999.  For more information about the 2007 Census of Agriculture, contact the NASS Florida Field Office at (407) 648-6013 or 1-800-344-6277 or visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov. 

I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on the 2007 Census of Agriculture, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons. GO GATORS!     

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Trade  names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean. Last update: 01/09/2008.  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert  

Rferences 

2002 Census of Agriculture information for Okeechobee County Florida:

County Profile -  Okeechobee, Florida

All Florida County comparisons