§2204g Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to Conduct Census of Agriculture

Summary

The Secretary of Agriculture must take a census of agriculture in 1998 and every five years after that. Starting with the 2008 census, each census must include a count of specialty crops as that term is defined by the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004. For the census, the Secretary may run surveys and use sampling or other statistical methods the Secretary finds appropriate. The data collected must cover the year before the census is taken. Anyone over 18 who willfully gives a false answer to a census question can be fined up to $500. Anyone over 18 who refuses or willfully neglects to answer can be fined up to $100. Not giving a Social Security number is not a violation, and no one can be forced to give information about their religious beliefs or membership. The census must cover every State and may include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, and other U.S. possessions with agreement from the Secretary and the Secretary of State. The Secretaries of Agriculture and Commerce can share needed census information on written request, must keep it for statistical use only, and can each create rules for matters in their areas. Information provided by Agriculture to Commerce is treated as information furnished under title 13 for purposes of sections 9 and 214 of title 13.