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Contact: Alex Minchenkov, (202) 690-8121
USDA Conducts 2009 Census of Horticulture
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) began gathering data for the 2009 Census of Horticultural Specialties to measure the state of the horticulture industry.
“The current economy has been especially hard on the floriculture and nursery industry,” said Carol House, NASS Deputy Administrator. “This census will help us understand the effects of the economic downturn on this sector.”
Conducted once every ten years, the Census of Horticultural Specialties provides the only comprehensive, detailed data on U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop operations. It supplies vital information that all levels of government and industry use to develop improved technologies, practices and programs that impact growers and their communities.
The Census of Horticulture is being mailed to nearly 33,000 producers nationwide, including producers of floriculture, nursery, and other specialty crops, such as sod, and crops produced in greenhouses or other protection. The census will collect information on the number and types of establishments, value of sales, varieties of products produced and many other areas.
Recipients are required to complete and return their forms by February 5, 2010. Respondents are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U.S. Code) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals.
“Data gathered in the Horticulture Census will be used to improve production methods, marketing tactics and other industry developments,” said House. “By participating in the Horticulture Census, producers will help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of horticulture in the United States.”
NASS will publish the results of the Census of Horticultural Specialties in December 2010. For more information call (800) 727-9540 or visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
