Ag Statistics Service wants input for on-farm renewable energy production surveys

Washington Ag Today June 24, 2010 The National Agricultural Statistics Service, including the Washington State Field Office, is conducting the first On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey. It is focusing on farms and ranches that produced renewable energy by solar panels, wind turbines and methane digesters. The data will provide a baseline for such energy production.

David Knopf, who heads up the Statistics Service Washington Field Office says the agency is also seeking input on what information would be important to collect in future years as this will be an annual survey.

Knopf: “The 2010 ag appropriations bill included funds for NASS to provide a data series on agriculture related energy production and utilization. So this is really in its infancy and we are looking for input from people who have a stake in renewable energy to help us guide that program and make best use of the tax dollars that are being appropriated for that use. We also want to get a Washington perspective as well. Make sure that at least Washington‘s thoughts and need are represented in the ideas.”

You can learn more and make online comments at

www.nass.usda.gov/energysurvey/

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.