Notice2026-00540
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate an Information Collection
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 14, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentNational Agricultural Statistics Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek reinstatement of an information collection, the 2027 Census of Agriculture.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1501-1502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00540]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate an Information
Collection
AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) to seek reinstatement of an information collection, the
2027 Census of Agriculture.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 16, 2026 to be
assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0226, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#335c5e515c55555a505641735d5240401d464057521d545c45"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f60626d606969666c6a7d4f616e7c7c217a7c6b6e21686079">[email protected]</span></a>. Include docket number
above in the subject line of the message.
<bullet> E-fax: (855) 838-6382.
<bullet> Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: NASS
OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South
Building,
[[Page 1502]]
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.
<bullet> Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: NASS OMB Clearance
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jody R. McDaniel, Associate
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from
NASS OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b747679747d7d72787e695b757a6868356e687f7a357c746d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27484a454841414e4442556749465454095254434609404851">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 2027 Census of Agriculture.
OMB Control Number: 0535-0226.
Expiration Date of Previous Approval: September 30, 2024.
Type of Request: Intent to Seek Reinstatement of an Information
Collection.
Abstract: The Census of Agriculture is the primary source of
statistics concerning the nation's agricultural industry. It provides
the only basis of consistent, comparable data for each county, county
equivalent, and state in the United States and its outlying insular
areas. The census is conducted every 5 years, the last one being for
the reference year of 2022. The 2027 Census of Agriculture will again
cover all agricultural operations in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
(CNMI), and American Samoa which meet the census definition for a farm.
For the 50 states, Guam, and CNMI, a farm is any place that produced
and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of
agricultural products during the census reference year. For Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands it is any place with $500 in production and
sales. American Samoa is not limited by a threshold for production or
sales and includes items grown for home consumption.
Data collection will primarily be conducted through a combination
of mail, internet, and follow-up by phone or in-person for selected
nonrespondents. In certain locations, data will be collected
exclusively through direct enumeration methods.
Authority: The Census of Agriculture is required by law under the
Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-113, codified at 7
U.S.C. 2204g), which mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture conduct
the census every five years. Response to the screening form, the Census
of Agriculture, and any related special study surveys is mandatory.
Special study surveys will be submitted under separate OMB approvals.
Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are
governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7
U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to
non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-
13 (44 U.S.C.3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.
All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, Title III of Public Law
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations
and penalties described in CIPSEA.
The law guarantees farm operators that their individual information
will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for
statistical purposes and publishes only tabulated total data. These
data are used by Congress when developing or changing farm programs.
Many national and state programs are designed or allocated based on
census data, i.e., soil conservation projects, funds for cooperative
extension programs, and research funding. Private industry uses the
data to provide more effective production and distribution systems for
the agricultural community.
Estimate of Burden: The estimated public reporting burden for this
information collection varies depending on the form type. On average,
it may range from a few minutes for brief responses to nearly an hour
for more detailed forms. Additional time is included to review
instructions, cover letters, and reminder materials.
Respondents: Farm and ranch operators.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,050,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,900,000 hours.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, technological or other forms of
information technology collection methods.
All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.
Signed at Washington, DC, December 11, 2025.
Jody R. McDaniel,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-00540 Filed 1-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P
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