Non-substantive change request for Quarterly Ag. Survey - July 2025

Non-substantive Change Request

0535-0213 – Agricultural Surveys Program

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY – All Quarters

This non-substantive change request addresses two items on the Quarterly Agricultural Surveys: the use of text message reminders and modifications to the Dry Bean Exclude statement.

1. Text Message Reminder

Starting in September, NASS is requesting to use text message reminders for respondents who have opted in to receive text messages.

The example in this email is ICR 0535-0236, Census of Horticultural Specialties. In the burden sheet calculation in question 12 on supporting statement A, we list under publicity materials, "reminder email," and we list the burden time as 1 minute. For this example, if there were any Census of Horticultural respondents who have opted in for text messaging, we would send them a text message reminder instead of an email reminder. The respondent burden would not change.

Text message reminder example wording:

USDA NASS Reminder: Please complete your 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties form at agcounts.usda.gov or mail back. Thank you! Questions 888-424-7828

Current Email reminder wording:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently mailed you a form for the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties. Everyone who receives a Census form is required by law to respond (Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113). If you are not farming or ranching, please call us toll free at 1-888-424-7828 and enter 0 to speak with a representative so we can update our records.

If you have already responded, thank you! If not, please respond by February 15, 2025, in one of the following ways:

• Online at www.agcounts.usda.gov and enter your unique survey code found on the front of the Census of Agriculture form mailed to you.

• Mail your completed Census form back using the prepaid envelope.

All information you provide is confidential and protected by federal law. For more information, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

Thank you for responding and for your support of U.S. agriculture.

Potential Impact: For the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties, NASS sent 6,437 reminder emails. If text messaging was available, an estimated 193 respondents could have received a text reminder instead of an email reminder.

2. Dry Bean Include/Exclude Change on Dec/June Agricultural Production Surveys (APS)

Adding instructions to the Dry bean question to explicitly exclude soybeans.

By including these updates, we aim to improve the efficiency and clarity of our Agricultural Surveys.

December APS:

Currently, the question looks like this:

Change to:

                Dry Edible Beans, all classes (EXCLUDE chickpeas and soybeans.)

 

 

March APS:

Currently, the question looks like this:

 

Change to:

                Dry Edible Beans, all classes? (EXCLUDE chickpeas and soybeans.)

 

June APS:

Currently, question looks like this:

 

Change to:               

Dry Edible Beans, all classes? (EXCLUDE chickpeas and soybeans.