United States Department of Agriculture

The Census of Horticultural Specialties collects information to provide a comprehensive and detailed picture of the horticultural sector of the U.S. economy. It is the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States. For the 2019 census, an operation is defined as any place that grew and sold $10,000 or more of horticultural specialty products during the census year.

Your response will help the continued growth and sustainability of horticultural production in the United States. In addition, census results can help you make informed decisions about the future of your own horticultural operation.

Yes. United States law (Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113) requires all who receive a census form to respond.

Census forms will be mailed in December 2019 to more than 40,000 operations nationwide who are currently engaged in horticultural production activities. Responses are due by Feb. 5, 2020.

The census will look at horticultural activities during 2019, including:

• Production of horticultural crops
• Value of horticultural products
• Square footage used for growing crops
• Production expenses, and more

The horticulture, floriculture, and nursery industries and all levels of government use the information to prepare a wide variety of horticultural-related programs, economic models, legislative initiatives, market analysis, research, and feasibility studies. These programs directly affect the life and communities of growers and help to improve horticultural technologies and practices.

Absolutely. Respondents are guaranteed by law (Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in aggregate form. The report cannot be used for purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulation. The privacy of individual records is even protected from Freedom of Information Act requests.

Results from the Census of Horticultural Specialties will be published in December 2020 and will be available online at www.nass.usda.gov/go/hort.

For more information, call (800) 727-9540 or visit www.nass.usda.gov/agcensus.