The U.S. Department of Agriculture is testing a new way for farmers and ranchers to complete agricultural surveys as its National Agricultural Statistics Service faces continued scrutiny over declining participation, staffing reductions and the accuracy of government crop estimates.
USDA announced Monday that selected producers will begin receiving survey invitations by text message or email later this month. The pilot program will allow participants to access and complete surveys online after verifying their identities through multifactor authentication.
The program will begin with producers selected for the December Agricultural Survey, which helps USDA develop estimates of crop production, acreage and grain stocks.
NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons said the agency hopes the new approach will make participation more convenient.
“Producers have limited time, especially during planting and harvest,” Parsons said. “This program will help us learn whether a text or email invitation makes it easier to complete a survey and where we can improve the sign-in process.”
Changes come amid concerns over USDA data
The pilot program follows months of criticism surrounding the reliability of USDA agricultural statistics, particularly estimates that influence grain markets and producer marketing decisions.
Those concerns have been compounded by declining participation in NASS surveys.
Producers can verify survey invitations
Under the pilot program, selected producers will receive an invitation identifying the survey and providing instructions for accessing the secure online reporting system.
Participants will verify their identities before submitting responses. USDA said the process is designed to protect the confidentiality of producer information.
Farmers who receive an invitation can verify its legitimacy through USDA’s Agricultural Counts portal at agcounts.usda.gov.
Producers who are not selected for the December Agricultural Survey may choose to receive text or email notifications for future surveys.
NASS will evaluate how successfully producers access and complete their surveys, identify difficulties with the sign-in process and collect feedback from participants.
The agency said those findings will help determine whether the program should be expanded.
Additional information is available at nass.usda.gov or by calling 888-424-7828.
