CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS ASKED TO HELP PROVIDE FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

SACRAMENTO --- The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is planning to conduct what is known as the Agricultural Resource Management Survey in California. The survey is the key financial information tool that provides the leading economic indicators of state and national agriculture for producers, agribusinesses and government. The results will show the impact of the shifting global market, farmer production decisions, and government policies on the agricultural economy.

The survey will address issues such as increasing costs, adequacy of government programs, and the financial health of various agriculture sectors.

“Agriculture relies on this data, so participation by California farmers and ranchers is crucial,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “Especially when policymakers, farm organizations, farm suppliers, lenders and others use the data to make decisions that affect producers. I urge all those contacted to take part in the survey.”

Producers chosen to participate in the Agricultural Resource Management Survey will be visited by an interviewer to complete the report at the farm or ranch operator’s convenience. Results will be published in a series of USDA reports on the current farm financial situation.

Farm Production Expenditures, the first report with results from the survey, will be released in July 2005.  For a copy of the finished report or to obtain other agricultural statistics, visit the National Agricultural Statistics Service website at www.usda.gov/nass/ or call 1-800-727-9540.

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