NASS Preparing To Survey NW Commercial Floriculture Operations

NASS is preparing to conduct its 2021 Commercial Floriculture Survey. Approximately 1,200 producers across the Northwest will be asked to provide information on production area, sales of floriculture commodities, and the number of agricultural workers on their operation. This survey can be completed by mail, phone, or online at agcounts.usda.gov. If NASS does not receive your completed survey by Wednesday, January 19^th, they may contact you to arrange a telephone interview.

“This information helps growers, buyers, government agencies, and others who can use the data to identify state and national trends, make plans, and determine the industry’s impact on farm income and the economy,” said Chris Mertz, Director of the NASS Northwest Field Office. “By participating in the survey, floriculture growers ensure that NASS can provide accurate data on floriculture production, thereby enabling USDA and the industry to be more responsive to domestic and international markets and consumer needs.”

This floriculture survey is a census of commercial floriculture operations that annually produce and sell at least $10,000 worth of fresh cut flowers, potted flowering plants, foliage plants, annual bedding and garden plants, herbaceous perennials, cut cultivated florist greens, propagative floriculture material and unfinished plants. This year’s survey adds 24 individual crops to the program, including peppers, herbs, lavender, cacti, and succulents.

In accordance with federal law, survey responses are kept confidential. Survey results will be available in aggregate form only to ensure that no individual producer or operation can be identified. NASS will publish the survey results in the Floriculture Crops report which will be published in May.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com