Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa farmers with organic crops to participate in USDA’s survey of organic agriculture.  This will be USDA’s first large scale survey focused on organic production. The survey will be going to farmers during the month of May and the deadline to respond is June 17th.  The results will be made available late this year. A comment from Sec. Northey on the survey follows here: “It is vital that organic farmers across the state take the time to respond to this survey so that we can get a better understanding of the amount of organic production taking place in the state and the issues organic farmers are facing,” Northey said. Organic farmers with questions can contact Greg Thessen, the Director of the Iowa field office of USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service at 800-772-0825.  The full release from USDA regarding the survey follows here:   USDA TO CONDUCT FIRST WIDE-SCALE SURVEY OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE  Des Moines, IA– The 2007 Census of Agriculture counted more than 20,000 U.S. farms engaged in organic production. To learn more about how the growth of organic farming is changing the face of U.S. agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon conduct its first wide-scale survey of organic production. “The Organic Production Survey comes in direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, businesses and others,” said Greg Thessen, Director of the Iowa Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). “This is an opportunity for organic producers to share their voices and help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of organic farming in the United States.” The survey will look at many aspects of organic farming during the 2008 calendar year – from production and marketing practices, to income and expenses. It will focus not only on operations that are currently engaged in organic production, but also on those making the transition to organic agriculture. “The results will help shape future decisions regarding farm policy, funding allocations, availability of goods and services, community development and other key issues,” Thessen noted. “In addition, the information can help producers make informed decisions about the future of their own farming operations.” NASS will mail the survey in early May to all known organic producers in the United States. They are required to respond by June 17. NASS will publish results in late 2009. “Participants can mail back their forms, but we encourage them to complete the survey online at www.agcensus.usda.gov. It’s convenient, it’s secure, and it saves the government money on return postage and data entry,” Thessen said. Survey participants 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. For more information about the Organic Production Survey, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 772-0825. # # #