Agriculture Glance 12-16-12

Agriculture census coming soon

The 2012 Census of Agriculture, issued every five years, will be mailed to farmers in the near future or can be completed online. The form must be returned via the Internet or mail by Feb. 4. More information is available at agcensus.usda.gov.

New this year, farmers will be asked to share information about their land use practices, Internet access and crops grown for production of renewable energy. Also new this year are questions asking affected farmers why they keep horses, a category requested by the equine industry, and about food that is packaged on farms for resale.

While participation in the 24-page census survey is mandated by federal law, most farmers will only have to complete several pages and should be able to do so in about 30 minutes.

The survey helps policymakers develop and fund programs benefiting producers and rural communities. Individual data is kept confidential.

New farmer training

The Yuma County Cooperative Extension is again offering a training program for people who want to learn how to farm and market the vegetables they grow to the local community in a farmers market.

The new farmer/farmers market training program will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays Jan. 7 through Feb. 25 at the extension office, 2200 W. 28th St. Topics will include pest management; business plan and accounting; marketing; soil, fertilization and water management; obtaining land and capital; food safety; insurance and risk management; and taxes.

Those interested need to contact the extension office to fill out an application form. Registration will be taken until Friday; applicants also will need to provide a $50 check by that date.

For more information, call Stacey Bealmear, urban horticulture extension agent, at 726-3904.