USDA census

[maple flats]

By the way, if you refuse you will get a phone call for the information and if you still refuse to answer the questions you can be finned as much as $5,000. Look it up, Google will find it for you.

[sap retreiver]

Very interesting. Thank you guys for the info. Gives us all something to chew on no matter how you look at it

[motowbrowne]

My feeling is that those who refuse to fill out the Ag Census are likely afraid they will be caught for undeclared income. The ag census is not for finding who cheated a few bucks on their income taxes, it is to get information that is used in the budget processes. Does your state spend any money towards agriculture? Of course, and that is relative to the Ag information they get from the census.
By the way, when you claim your income from farming, you also get to off set that with expenses, depreciation and all other little things that add up to you loosing money.

But if you lose money consistently and never turn a profit then they call it a hobby and you can't write off anything.

[motowbrowne]

USDA census? Interesting. I haven’t heard of this. Please tell more.

Send me your address, I'll send you mine.

[markcasper]

By the way, if you refuse you will get a phone call for the information and if you still refuse to answer the questions you can be finned as much as $5,000. Look it up, Google will find it for you.

The ag census is unconstitutional! A direct violation of your 4th amendment rights as an American citizen. It is your choice whether you want to fill it out or not. As for fining. It is all an illusion meant to coerce you into filling it out. I have never known anyone to be fined. The regular census that takes place every 10 years requires you to state the number of people at said residence and that is it! Anything additional would also be anti 4th amendment.

[n8hutch]

I got one, I was going to fill it out right away but I found that 98% of it didn't pertain to me or was confusing. I think if they sent me or anyone something that pertained to what you actually do it would be a lot easier and a lot more people would participate. Unfortunately our Govt doesn't work like that "some may even say it doesn't work at all at the moment" , by the time I picked it up again it was going to be way late so I didn't bother finishing it.

[adk1]

I received one too and I am not a registered farm or maple operation

[BAP]

I received one too and I am not a registered farm or maple operation

Just curious, do you belong to your state’s maple association? I got one and figure the only way they got my name was from the NH Maple Producers Association.

[Helicopter Seeds]

I got one, I assumed it was because I had indicated farm income or loss on my tax return, or otherwise because I bought items from a maple equipment supply place identifying as a farm- because they asked, even though I am micro-sized. Interesting on the 'evidence' aspect, as I did the census quickly and rounded numbers, whereas the tax info is more detailed, naturally. I assumed it would help, but the conspiracy fearer in me will be more cautious next year.

[buckeye gold]

I have gotten them for years, way before I made Maple Syrup. However, I have had farm income and products for many years from hay and crops. How they determine who get's them is a good question. In Ohio ag land is noted on our property tax for a reduced tax rate, I always figured it came from that.

I don't worry about the government getting information about me from the survey. Heck if they want information on me there are dozens of ways a lot more complete and easier than an agriculture survey. The Dept. of Ag are choir boys compared to the IRS. As I said before I think this actually benefits our industry. The bigger Maple get's the more money goes to developing it. People Like Dr. Perkins benefit from farm bill funding, but if it is an obscure low production industry it won't get much attention.