USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service staff from the New York Field Office know their jobs and are constantly learning more about agriculture via their surveys and from a recent farm visit hosted by the New York Farm Bureau Foundation. The statistics compiled by NASS documents what is happening in the farm community which provides essential information on the conditions of the agricultural industry. The NASS statistics provide a link to USDA and the state of New York.

The New York NASS staff recently included a “day on the farm” to learn the basics of everyday farm life and see how their questions and surveys cover a multitude of farm areas. Staff gained an understanding of how a farmer might react when asked about feed inventory, standing near thousands of tons of feed at the bunker silo, or learn terminology about cattle herds, as they viewed the “maternity wing” and saw the expectant mothers who numbered much higher than any had thought.

The exposure to the realities of an agricultural operation will help to make them better at what they do, which will help all of agriculture. Within the industry, the network is tremendous and solid. The positive attitude and open minds allow everyone to “sow the seeds of understanding”.