National Agricultural Statistics Service

U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers of every kind are growing older. The average age of farm producers (PDF, 1.8 MB) increased from 56.3 to 57.5 years from 2012 to 2017. As legacy producers retire, our nation needs the next generation of producers to take on the important business of providing...

Last month, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Certified Organic Survey. The data showed a continued upward trend in the organic industry since 2008, when organic data collection first began.

As we wrap up the harvest season and slide into the holiday season, let's take a moment to thank farmers for our favorite holiday commodities. We also thank farmers for completing their Census of Agriculture and other USDA-NASS surveys that provide data about U.S. agriculture.

Have you ever wondered what makes a census different from a survey? At USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, we conduct both censuses and surveys. The difference is in the totality of the respondents who receive a questionnaire.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is the gold standard in providing timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture. But beyond the hundreds of surveys the agency conducts each year on behalf of U.S. ag, NASS has been helping to establish and improve...

The 2019 National Farmers Market Survey conducted by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) collected data regarding the market practices of managers in 2019 from 10,000 farmers markets. Using trends and statistics found from these...

Today, we recognize National Intern Day—a day to celebrate the hard work and dedication interns have provide to USDA. But let’s also focus on the decision to become an intern and what it could mean for your future.

What comes to mind when you think of South Dakota? Is it the Black Hills, presidential busts and bison? According to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s 2017 Census of Agriculture, South Dakota has the largest inventory of bison of any state in the United States, with over 30,000 bison...

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month! Many foods and beverages originated in the Caribbean. For instance, Chocolate milk originated in Jamaica and Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum.

Last month, I had the honor to serve as keynote speaker for The Mule Train’s 54th anniversary. The Mule Train left Marks, Mississippi and traveled to Washington, D.C., on May 13, 1968, as part of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign to demand economic justice since Marks...