Sure,
you can talk for hours about your business. But what happens when you
find yourself face to face with a local or state official who wants to
know just how important floriculture and nursery production is in their
county, state or congressional district? 

Well now, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), you can cite information from
the 2007 Census of Agriculture at any of these levels of detail, including the congressional district level.


“The new congressional district profiles provide a snapshot of
agriculture at a local level (that) help elected officials make
decisions,” said NASS Deputy Administrator Carol House. “And they are a
useful tool for farmers and others interested in American agriculture
at the local level.”


The online congressional district profiles detail key changes since
the 2002 census, including the number of farms and acres in farmland,
the demographics of local farmers, livestock inventory, crop production
and total sales of agricultural products.

With a click, you can see how much nursery, greenhouse and
floriculture production is in your state, county or congressional
district. You'll also be able to see how floriculture and nursery
production compares to other sectors of agriculture and how many states
or counties produce these products.

“Obviously, this information is of great help when we go to the Hill
to represent the floral industry,” said SAF’s Lin Schmale. “And it’s
important for our members when they meet with their congressional
representatives.” 

The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years, is a complete
count of the nation’s farms and ranches and the people who operate
them. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive
agricultural data for every county in the nation. For more information
about the census and to access the congressional district profiles,
visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540.