AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC SURVEY WILL MEASURE FARM FINANCIAL HEALTH

SACRAMENTO - California agricultural producers will have the opportunity to participate in The Agricultural Resource Management Survey conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  This survey provides the leading economic indicators about the agricultural industry, which are used by members of the agricultural community and their legislators when making important decisions that support America’s farmers and ranchers.

Data collected will present an objective, true picture of the financial well-being of California farm operators and will provide an accurate portrayal as Congress monitors the benefits of the Farm Bill.  These data are also a resource when policymakers determine federal assistance.  During 2002, the USDA Farm Services Agency distributed $7.3 billion to producers in farm program payments, $1.6 billion in conservation funding, $2 billion in loan funds, and $14.4 million in emergency loans.

Agricultural producers chosen to participate in the survey will represent from 50 to 100 fellow producers, and will make an important contribution to the overall welfare of America’s farmers and ranchers.  All individual data collected are held strictly confidential by law (Title 7, U.S. Code). The survey will be the first to provide state-level data for 15 key agricultural states, including California.

Results from the survey will be used by agricultural producers, producer organizations, commodity groups, lenders, university researchers, news media, local USDA agencies, farm suppliers, and others to evaluate economic challenges facing America’s food and fiber producers, measure the profitability of agricultural production, assess the ability for producers to maintain sustainable farms, and determine the need for farm financial assistance.

Farm Production Expenditures, the first report with results from the survey, will be released July 15, 2004.  For a copy of the finished report or to obtain other agricultural statistics, visit the National Agricultural Statistics Service web site at www.usda.gov/nass/ or call 1-800-727-9540.

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