The Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting the 2021 Organic Survey to gather data on certified organic products to study the effect of the organic industry on the economy.

The survey, which will gather information on acreage, production and marketing practices, will be mailed to all certified organic farms and ranches in the continental United States, according to a Feb. 28 USDA press release.

“We continue to receive requests for updated data on organic farms, especially to measure growth in the production sector of the organic industry,” Chief of the Census Planning Branch at NASS, Donald Buysse, said in the release. “According to the 2019 survey, U.S. certified organic producers sold $9.93 billion in products, up 31% over 2016. That is a significant increase, and this upcoming survey will help determine if that type of growth has been sustained.”

The deadline to respond to the survey is April 4, the release stated.

“This survey continues a great partnership across USDA agencies in a commitment to support certified organic producers based on the best data possible,” added Buysse. “This voluntary survey gives all organic farmers and ranchers who receive it an opportunity to impact the industry.”

Surveys can be returned through the mail, the release stated. Responses can also be submitted through an online portal.

“I encourage producers to participate in this survey so we can continue to improve federal crop insurance for organic producers,” said Marcia Bunger, administrator for USDA’s Risk Management Agency, in the release. “We now offer an organic price for 84 crops, which is up from just four in 2011, due in part to the information received from this survey. Producers’ participation in this survey will aid USDA efforts to meet the needs of our nation’s ever-expanding organic market.”