Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS III) Workshop

NASS held a successful ARMS III Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky the week of January 12-15, 2010. Participants experienced an educational and very rewarding week. The Workshop attendees started the week by receiving a warm welcome from Kentucky Field Office Director, Leland Brown, followed by a strong message from guest speaker, Dr. Ani Katchova, from the University of Kentucky in which she explained “How, What and Why” ARMS data are important, and then Chris Hurt from Purdue University spoke about increasing response rates. Participants were also heard perspectives from NASS Administrator Dr. Cynthia Clark and ERS Administrator Dr. Katherine Smith.

Topics throughout the week included MISO’s ARMS promotion perspective, reviewing the different versions of the ARMS III questionnaire, enhancing response rates, and several other interesting topics. Other educational and entertaining events included a tour of the National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, IN, and visiting a local orchard. The workshop wrapped up with the NASDA perspective given by Charlie Ingram, NASS management remarks, and an information-filled presentation on the NASS Efficiency Initiatives.

NASS will be conducting the annual ARMS survey beginning late January 2010. It is one of the most important surveys, and is the primary source of information to USDA and the public on a broad range of issues about U.S. agricultural resource use, costs, and farm sector financial conditions. The survey is conducted in collaboration with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). More information about ARMS is available at: www.nass.usda.gov.

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