Also this month:
* Animal Science Experts
Explain Antibiotic Use
* Erratic Weather Keeps Farmers
Guessing
* Organic Standards Impact
Small-Scale Farmers
* NC A&T School of
Ag Honored with Winn-Dixie Award
* McAlpin Receives Doctorate
Other News Links:
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Cooperative Extension
Press Releases
Agricultural Research
Press Releases
General Links:
NC A&T School of Agriculture
Agricultural Communications
Mitch Arnold, news editor
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Greensboro, NC: The Census of Agriculture, due on
February 2, is important to the survival of small, family farms. Cooperative
Extension specialists agree that the Census is not to be taken lightly.
"People should maintain a positive attitude toward the Census of Agriculture,"
says Dr. John M. O'Sullivan, a farm management and marketing specialist
with the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension
Program. "It is important that small-scale farmers take the time to
ensure that they are recognized by the census."
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the ongoing Census
of Agriculture is a complete accounting of United States agricultural production,
and is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for
every county in the nation.
The census, which occurs every five years, classifies farms as any place
from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold,
or normally would have been sold, during the census year.
According to O'Sullivan, farmer cooperation with the census will help to
ensure that all farm categories are properly represented in decisions and
policies affecting agriculture.
"The number and importance of small, family farms will be underrepresented,
unless farmers respond to the census and are counted," said O'Sullivan.
"When small-scale farms go uncounted, it diminishes their importance
in public perception, and this affects future policy."
O'Sullivan points out that the census is used to justify allocation of
research, extension and other USDA program funds, and that these funds
are crucial to the success of the North Carolina A&T State University
School of Agriculture, and other land-grant institutions, in meeting the
needs of all farmers.
According to USDA, census data are also used to:
- develop market strategies and to determine the most effective locations
for service to agricultural producers.
- evaluate and propose programs and policies that can help agricultural
producers.
- develop programs to protect and promote United States agriculture.
- make projections and evaluate results of events and programs.
- forecast future energy needs for agricultural producers and their communities.
- develop new and improved methods to increase agricultural production.
- plan for operations during drought, and emergency outbreaks of diseases
or infestation of pests.
"Being counted in the Census of Agriculture just makes good sense,"
said O'Sullivan. "For their needs to be addressed, farmers must first
be recognized, and this census is an important part of this recognition
process."
Question about the Census of Agriculture in North Carolina can be directed
to the North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Office at 1-800-437-8451,
or to your local Cooperative Extension Center.
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For more information, please contact Dr. John O'Sullivan, NC A&T Cooperative
Extension Program, (336) 334-7956.
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