The 2017 Census of Agriculture will begin hitting farmers’ mailboxes this week, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture looks to update its information on land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.

Conducted once every five years, the Census of Agriculture is sent to approximately 3 million U.S. producers, including nearly 100,000 growers in Minnesota. Farmers are being asked to fill out the census questionnaire online using instructions found on the mailed portion or return it completed by mail. The deadline to fill out the census is Feb. 5, 2018.

It is imperative farmers take the time to complete the census, results from which are crucial to many farm programs. Through the Census of Agriculture, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture, and they can help influence the decisions that will shape the future of American farms.

Farmers use census data to make informed decisions on their own farm operations. Companies and coops use the data to determine location of their facilities moving forward. And legislators rely on the census when shaping farm policies and programs.

Farmers can learn more about the Census of Agriculture at http://www.agcensus.usda.gov.