oh-press-release

James E. Ramey, Director
P.O. Box 686
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-0686

February 3, 2010

USDA TO MEASURE THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE AG INDUSTRY

(Reynoldsburg, OH) - Starting in January, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will
conduct its Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). This survey
will provide farmers and ranchers with an opportunity to provide
accurate, real-world data that will help shape the policies, programs
and issues that affect them. "ARMS asks a small, but representative,
sample of farmers about their operation in order to understand the
current financial state of U.S. agriculture," said James Ramey, director
of the NASS Ohio Field Office. "Participation in ARMS is so important
because government and agricultural leaders use the information needed
to make sound decisions that impact the future of farmers, their
families, their businesses and their communities." Between early
February and late March NASS field offices will contact 35,000 farmers
nationwide by mail or personal interview to complete the survey.
Producers will be asked to provide data on their operating expenditures,
production costs and household characteristics. "Farm organizations, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, other government agencies, members of
Congress, and State and local officials use the collective information
from ARMS to answer questions and make important decisions concerning
the economic viability of American agriculture, the rural economy and
other emerging issues," explained Ramey. As with all NASS surveys,
information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS
safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring no individual
respondent or operation can be identified.	The economic data
gathered in ARMS will be published in the annual Farm Production
Expenditures report on August 5, 2010.All NASS reports are available
online at: www.nass.usda.gov.