Census of Horticulture Taking Place

TRENTON — NASS is conducting the 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties to gather detailed information on horticultural production and sales across the United States. There is still time to be counted and show the importance of what you do for the economy of New Jersey.
“The Census of Horticulture includes producers of floriculture, nursery and other specialty crops,” said Bruce Eklund, State Statistician of the NASS New Jersey Office. “According to the most recent Census of Agriculture results, nursery and floriculture products were almost a $359 million industry just in New Jersey. This special census is an opportunity for producers to provide detailed information on their industry to help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of horticultural farming.”
Last conducted in 2009, this census will provide the only source of comparable and consistent data at the national and state levels for the industry. NASS will gather information on horticultural activities conducted during 2014, including production of horticultural crops, value of products, square footage used for growing crops, production expenses and more.
“Participation is important. This is a unique opportunity to provide information that will be used by policymakers, organizations and businesses for the next several years to help make decisions regarding the availability of goods and services, funding, policies and other key issues that affect the industry,” Eklund said.
Producers can fill out the Census online via a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov, or return their form by mail. Federal law (Title 7, U.S. Code) requires all producers who receive a form to respond and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential.
NASS will publish the results in Dec. 2015. For more information about the Census of Horticulture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (717)787-3904.