DOVER, Del. (January 26, 2023) – Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) surveys every agricultural producer across the country and in Puerto Rico to obtain a complete account of the industry, its changes, and emerging trends. Less than 25 percent of Delaware producers have responded to the 2022 Ag Census, which could jeopardize farm policy and decision-making about disaster relief, community planning, technology development, and more.

“We know from the 2017 Ag Census that more than half of Delaware’s farms are smaller than 50 acres. This is important to know when Delawareans are trying to decide if they should participate in the 2022 Ag Census because our agriculture industry is evolving to include more small-scale farms,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “We want all producers to respond, including those in rural communities and those involved in urban agriculture. Whether you grow crops or nursery stock, are a beekeeper, or raise livestock or poultry, your participation helps tell the story of Delaware agriculture.”

Farm operations of all sizes which produced and sold, or typically would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022 are included in the Ag Census.

Producers received a survey code with an invitation to respond online at agcounts.usda.gov in November. Anyone who did not respond before should complete their survey online or submit it by mail no later than February 6. Everyone who received the 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire is required to return it, even if they are not currently farming. The first few qualifying questions on the form will determine whether completing the entire questionnaire is necessary.

Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The same law requires NASS to keep all information confidential, use the data only for statistical purposes, and publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release the results of the Ag Census in 2024.

To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit https://nass.usda.gov/agcensus.

DOVER, Del – This Census Day, April 1, marked the start of the countdown to the 2020 U.S. Census. The Census is the once-a-decade population and housing count, and an accurate census count is critically important to Delaware in multiple ways:

• The results of the Census determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress and are used to draw Congressional and state legislative districts
• Federal agencies use the census results to distribute more than $675 billion in funds each year
• Communities rely on census statistics to plan for a variety of needs including new roads, schools, libraries and emergency services
• Businesses use census data to determine where to locate

Delaware loses more than $2,000 in federal funds each year for every person left uncounted by the Census. That gap amounts to approximately $10 million lost annually that could have been used to support Delaware services and communities.

Earlier this year, Governor John Carney established the Complete Count Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, to assist with the 2020 Census. As recommended by the U.S. Census Bureau, State Complete Count Commissions will help raise awareness and encourage full participation from Delawareans and make sure everyone is counted.

“The 2020 census begins exactly one year from today, and the Complete Count Commission is committed to counting each and every single Delawarean,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long. “Our libraries are playing a critical role in helping us achieve a 100% success rate by providing the resources to count every one of our residents in each county, city, and town to ensure that Delaware receives the resources we need, and deserve.”

For the first time, the Census Bureau is allowing all households to submit their 2020 census responses online. Those unsure of how to complete the census online can visit their local Delaware public library to:

• Use free wifi at any of Delaware’s 33 public libraries
• Get answers to questions
• Get assistance filling out forms

“We are so excited to partner with Delaware libraries for the 2020 Census,” said Devon Reed, Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau. “With the digital nature of this decade’s Census – whether it’s applying for census jobs, working as census employees in local neighborhoods, or completing the Census on April 1, 2020 – all 33 libraries throughout the state will play a pivotal role in the success of the 2020 Census count. Making our libraries a one stop shop for all things Census gets us that much closer to Delaware’s most complete and accurate decennial count yet!”

“Delaware Libraries are a key part of the social infrastructure, and are standing by to assist and help ensure that every Delawarean is counted and receives all of the services that they need to achieve their full potential,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian.

PHOTO CAPTION: Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, center, marked Census Day on April 1 at the Dover Public Library with, from left to right, Margie Cyr, director of the Dover Library; Devon Reed, Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau; Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian; Fred Neil, Dover City Councilman; and Dr. Courtney Stewart, Deputy Secretary of State.

Commission will help ensure a fair and accurate 2020 Census count in Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed Executive Order #23 creating the Governor’s Complete Count Commission (SCCC) to assist with the 2020 Census. A recommendation of the U.S. Census Bureau, State Complete Count Commissions will help raise awareness and encourage full participation from Delawareans and make sure everyone is counted.

Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long will chair the commission. Its membership will be compromised of individuals representing various sectors including state and local government, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, underrepresented populations, and business. The commission will provide a report to the Governor by January 1, 2020 outlining recommendations and strategies for maximizing participation in the 24th decennial census in 2020.

“It’s important that all Delawareans are counted in the next Census, to ensure that all available resources are reaching residents in our state who need them most,” said Governor Carney. “This commission will specifically help identify and reach populations that have historically been difficult to count, including young children, non-English speakers, renters, and homeless Delawareans. Thank you to Lt. Governor Hall-Long for taking the lead on this important effort.”

“I am honored to Chair Delaware’s State Complete Count Commission,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “Reaching those ‘hard to count’ populations is especially important. Census data is used for so many things from determining the number of congressional seats a state has to the amount of federal dollars a state receives for highways, schools and healthcare just to name a few. That’s why it’s crucial we count everyone in Delaware.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over $600 billion are dispersed from over 300 federal programs based upon census-generated figures.

“As a federally qualified health center, Westside Family Healthcare depends, in part, on Census data to help identify community needs and inform how to best allocate our limited resources to help fill the gap in services,” said Lolita A. Lopez, President & CEO of Westside Family Healthcare, who was appointed by the Governor to serve on the commission. “As an appointed member of the Complete Count Commission, Westside is committed to partnering with Governor Carney, Lt. Governor Hall-Long, and others to encourage the communities we serve to actively participate in the Census process. The 2020 Census is vitally important to Delaware’s future.”

The Reverend Rita Paige, another member of the commission appointed by Governor Carney, added, “Make sure you’re counted. We don’t want anyone left out!”

“We thank Governor Carney for his leadership in establishing the Delaware State Complete Count Commission,” said Fernando Armstrong, Philadelphia Regional Director of the US Census Bureau. “We look forward to working in partnership with Lt Governor Hall-Long and the entire Commission in counting all Delawareans in the 2020 Census.”

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DOVER, Del. – Beginning in December, farmers in Delaware and Maryland will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the census, starting to be mailed out this week, is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them.

Census data are used by all those who serve farmers and rural communities from federal, state and local governments to agribusinesses, trade associations, researchers, and many others. For example, public officials use the data when shaping farm policy, and agribusinesses factor it into their planning efforts.

“Your answers to the census impact farm programs and rural services that support your community,” said Joe Bartenfelder, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture. “Good policies and services are rooted in quality data. We want all farms counted because there’s strength in numbers that only the census can reveal,” said Michael Scuse, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture.

This year, NASS has extensively revised the online census questionnaire at www.agcounts.usda.gov to make it more convenient for producers. Farmers can either mail in their completed census form or take advantage of new time-saving features by responding online. The online system calculates totals for the producer and skips sections that do not pertain to the operation. The census response deadline is February 5, 2018, with results of the census released in 2019.

In the 2012 census, Delaware farmers reported a total of 2,451 farms, spanning over 508 thousand acres. These numbers represented four percent decrease in the number and Delaware farms from the previous census in 2007. Market value of agricultural products sold was $1.3 billion, an increase of 18 percent from the previous census for Delaware. This telling information and thousands of additional farm and ranch statistics are only available every five years, as a direct result of responses to the census.

“The census remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation,” said Dale P. Hawks, Maryland/Delaware State Statistician for USDA’s NASS Northeastern Region. “It’s a critical tool that gives producers a voice and opportunity to influence decisions that will shape the future of their operations, communities, and industries.”

The 2017 Census of Agriculture will collect new information including data on active service and military veteran farmers, as well as expanded questions on food marketing practices and on-farm decision-making to better capture the roles and contributions of beginning farmers, women farmers, and other involved in running the business.

For more information about the upcoming census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (888) 424-7828.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

DOVER – Delaware farmers are among the most productive and efficient in the nation, with the First State remaining first in the nation in the value of agricultural products sold per acre, according to U.S. Census of Agriculture data released Friday.

Sussex County remains the No. 1 broiler chicken-producing county in the nation, a position that dates back to the 1940s, and Delaware retained its spot as the state with the largest amount of lima bean acres harvested, according to 2012 Census of Agriculture data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

“Delaware farmers are maintaining their long and proud tradition of producing the best and freshest farm products,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “This is a testament to their hard work, resilience and dedication to their craft.”

“Delaware farmers know how to get the job done,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “This data confirms what many people already know: Farmers are the backbone of Delaware’s economy. But they’re more than just tillers of soil – Delaware farmers are smart businesspeople as well. They work hard every day to build efficient enterprises, increase productivity and grow the food that feeds our families.”

The new Census data also shows that agriculture remains Delaware’s largest single land use, with 41 percent of Delaware’s land (or 508,652 acres) in farming – 24 percent of New Castle County’s land, 46 percent of Kent County’s and 45 percent of Sussex County’s.

In the national rankings, Delaware was just ahead of California in the market value of agricultural products sold per acre, at $2,505 to California’s $1,667. Delaware was No. 2 in the value of agricultural products sold per farm, at $519,794 to first-place California’s $547,510. Delaware also topped California in the number of lima bean acres harvested – 12,564 acres to California’s 7,160.

Meanwhile, Sussex County again recorded the top number nationally in broiler chicken production, with 174 million birds produced in 2012. Polk County, Texas, ranked second, with 125 million birds.

Kee and Chris Cadwallader, Delaware state statistician for USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, said the participation of Delaware’s farmers in providing data is key to showing the industry’s importance both economically and environmentally. “It is critical to helping everyone understand agriculture,” Cadwallader said. “A big ‘thank you’ is owed to the Delaware agricultural community for making the Delaware 2012 Census of Agriculture a success.”

The USDA released the full Census of Agriculture results Friday, including county-level data on many topics. Preliminary state-level data released in February showed that state agricultural production hit a record $1.2 billion in 2012, up 19 percent from 2007. The value of crop production also more than doubled, to $429 million, while the amount of farmland and number of farms both decreased slightly, mirroring national trends. Complete Census data is online at agcensus.usda.gov.

Other highlights in Delaware’s 2012 Census results:

>> Irrigation use was up 22 percent, to 127,272 acres versus 104,562 in 2007. All three counties saw increases in irrigated acreage.

>> More Delaware farmers have Internet access than in 2007, up 12 percent to 68 percent. Farmers are increasingly using mobile technologies and high-speed Internet access to map their farmland, plan production and conduct business transactions.

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Contact:

Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520