NASS Thanks American Farmers

November 21, 2008 - This Thanksgiving, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has more than 2 million reasons to be thankful. Having received a record number of responses to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, NASS is giving thanks to all of those farmers and ranchers who fulfilled their responsibility by completing and returning their census forms.

Conducted every five years by the USDA, the census is a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation. This information is used by town planners, policy makers, agribusinesses and others to make important decisions that shape rural communities for future generations.

"The millions of responses we received to the census are proof that America's farmers recognize the importance of the census as their voice, their future and their responsibility. Their participation will help us better serve the entire agricultural community by providing the programs, services and tools it needs for a brighter future - and that is something to be truly thankful for," stated Carol House, NASS deputy administrator.

NASS will publish the 2007 Census of Agriculture results on Feb. 4, 2009. For more information about the census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

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