CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) are encouraging all farmers and farm operations to participate in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed paper questionnaires to producers in December.

“We encourage everyone who receives a census to participate. This is the only source of impartial, comprehensive, state and county level agriculture data in the nation. Most importantly, the data collected is used when developing funding formulas for Farm Bills. It also helps local governments, extensions educators and researchers make informed decisions that directly affect our state’s farm operations, communities and industries,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “That is why it’s important that every producer in West Virginia is counted and represented.”

Farm operations of all sizes, urban or rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2022, are included in the census. The data inform decisions about programs, rural development, and research. The Census of Agriculture is the producer’s voice in the future of American agriculture.

“The 2022 Census of Agriculture is an opportunity for West Virginia ag producers to make their voices heard. The data will tell the story of agriculture at the national, state, and county level,” said West Virginia State Statistician Alissa Cowell-Mytar. “Ag census data are used by decision-makers in government, businesses, research institutions, and more. To make response easier and save time, NASS improved the online questionnaire at www.agcounts.usda.gov so that it skips questions that do not pertain to you and includes some previously reported data.”

Producers can respond to the census online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. The deadline to respond is February 6, 2023. All information will be kept confidential by Federal law, published in aggregate, and will only be used for statistical purposes.

For more information, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov/agcensus or call 888-424-7828.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.