AGRICULTURE CENSUS
OF
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

PURPOSE

To provide periodic and comprehensive data about the Virgin Islands' agricultural operations, operators, and land. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Government of the Virgin Islands assists with the census.

COVERAGE

All operators of farms that sold or normally would have sold $100 or more of agricultural products during the census year. In 1982, coverage was different and not based on sales. There were 202 farms counted in 1992.

CONTENT

Operators provide data on acres farmed, crop acreage and quantity harvested, land use, type of ownership, number of livestock, value of livestock sold, equipment used in operations, wages and salaries paid, insecticides and fertilizers purchased, sales by crop type, and operator characteristics.

FREQUENCY

Every 5 years since 1964, coinciding with the Census of Agriculture, currently taken for years ending in "2" and "7." The first agriculture census of the Virgin Islands was a special one taken in 1917. The next census was taken in 1930 as part of the decennial census, a practice that continued every 10 years through 1960. Reported data are for activity that occurred during the census(calendar) year. For 1982, data were collected for activity during the period of July of 1982 through June of 1983.

METHODS

The direct enumeration procedure is used to conduct the census. Enumerators were assigned to an enumeration district and given a list of persons for whom a report had been obtained in the previous census of agriculture plus all other persons known to be conducting farm operations. Enumerators were also instructed to ask questions about tracts of land on which no one lived to determine if data should be collected from the person in charge. Rules were set up to avoid double counting of non-resident operators. Each enumerator was responsible for completing a form for all operators that resided in the district.

A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities of the Census Bureau and the Government of the Virgin Islands in conducting the census. The Bureau provides the necessary funds, enumeration procedures, forms, manuals, and training. The Governor appoints someone to manage the census operation. The appointee is responsible for hiring enumerators and collecting the data. In addition, the government provides input to the questionnaire content and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

The Geographic Area Series, Part 54 The Virgin Islands provides statistics at the island level. Statistics are presented for operators with sales in excess of $100 by total value of sales, tenure of operators, and farm size. Summary data are provided for operator characteristics.

USERS

The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses the data to help in assessment of damages due to natural disasters. The Department of Interior uses data to assess programs and legislation.

Many local programs use census data as a benchmark for designing and evaluating surveys. Private industry uses census statistics to provide a more effective production and distribution system for the agricultural community.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Provides the only source of consistent and comparable data on agricultural activity at the island level.

For further information on Census of Agriculture of the Virgin Islands statistics contact Roger Beinhart at 1-800-523-3215, fax 301/763-8499,
Internet address rbeinhart@nass.usda.gov