Oct 3 -- The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) invites comments to OMB by November 4, 2022 regarding the 2022 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) Phase 3.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is requesting a substantive change to the ARMS and Chemical Use Survey information collection request (OMB No. 0535-0218) for the 2022 ARMS Phase 3 Surveys. The change is needed to accommodate the addition of the 2022 ARMS Phase 3 questionnaires. There will be two versions of the ARMS Phase 3 questionnaires: The Cost and Returns Report and Wheat Production Practice and Cost Report.
In January, 2023, NASS will be conducting the 2022 Census of Agriculture (0535-0226) which has a mandatory reporting requirement. In addition, NASS will be conducting the 2022 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) Phase 3 which has a voluntary reporting requirement. Both of these surveys collect whole farm data for the calendar year of 2022. The entire ARMS 3 sample is included in the Census of Agriculture population. Both versions will contain the questions from the Census of Agriculture questionnaire with the unique questions asked by the ARMS 3 questionnaires.
This change will not change the approved burden, which includes additional Phase 3 samples in order to collect data from additional historically underserved producer groups. Collecting more data from these groups will support President Biden's and USDA's priority to advance racial justice, equity, and opportunity by providing more detailed data and research on the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and ranchers in the United States to ensure all USDA policies and decisions are inclusive of all people the Department serves. In order to meet these objectives, it is essential to modify the sampling methodology for the ARMS to gather additional information from historically underserved groups. This effort will ensure USDA is able to provide data about the financial well-being and other characteristics for historically underserved groups.
Proposed changes to the ARMS in Phase 3:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/DownloadDocument?objectID=124786800 and
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/DownloadDocument?objectID=124786900
ARMS
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Ag_Resource_Management/
ARMS submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202209-0535-001 Click IC List for data collection instruments, View Supporting Statement for newly added technical documentation. Submit comments through this webpage.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-21381
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806
