USDA Plans Updates to Annual Organic Farming Survey Questions
Published Date: 1/30/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service plans to update and extend its Annual Organic Survey, which helps track organic farming practices. This affects organic farmers who will see some changes in questions and reporting rules starting with a big special study in 2025 and voluntary surveys in 2026 and 2027. They’re also asking for public feedback by March 31, 2025, to make sure the survey runs smoothly without adding too much extra work.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Survey Data to Support Organic Crop Insurance
Data collected by the Organic Survey will support requirements in the Agricultural Act of 2014 that the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation offer price elections and improve federal crop insurance for organic crops. The survey results will feed into annual reports and development of price elections and insurance approaches for organic producers.
2025 Organic Special Study: Mandatory Reporting
If you operate an organic farm or ranch, the Annual Organic Survey will return to a mandatory Special Study planned for 2025 (to be enumerated in early 2026). NASS expects to contact about 27,000 operations, and the agency estimates an average response time of 43 minutes per response, for an estimated total annual burden of 9,500 hours.
2026–2027 Voluntary Annual Surveys
USDA-RMA is funding voluntary Annual Organic Surveys for 2026 and 2027. Participation in those surveys is optional for organic operations, and NASS will use mailings, internet response options, and phone/personal follow-up when funded.
Confidentiality and Publication Rules
Individually identifiable data from the Organic Survey are protected under 7 U.S.C. 2276 and CIPSEA, and NASS will publish summaries at the State and commodity level in December when possible. To prevent disclosure of individual operations, some State-level data may be combined and published at regional or national levels.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18618, Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection.
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2025-01962, Notice of Intent To Request To Reinstate an Information Collection
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2026-15755, Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01962, Notice of Intent To Request To Reinstate an Information Collection
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service wants to bring back a survey that collects info on how farmers sell food directly to customers and stores. This helps group farms and share useful results. If you’re involved in farming or local food sales, your input matters! Comments are open until March 31, 2025, and there’s no cost to participate.
Next: 2025-01964, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Extension of a Previously Approved Collection; Title: Application for Suspension of Deportation (EOIR-40)
The Department of Justice is asking for feedback on extending the form used to apply for suspension of deportation, which helps certain immigrants stay in the U.S. without being deported. This extension keeps the process going with no big changes, and the public has 30 days to share their thoughts by March 3, 2025. This helps make sure the form is clear, useful, and not too much work for applicants.