Ag department requests participation in census

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and ranchers to participate in the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

Conducted every five years by the department, the census is a count of the country's farms and ranches and the people operating them. The census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics.

The department's National Agricultural Statistics Service will mail out census forms on Dec. 28 to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due Feb. 4.

Details are available at 1-800-747-8522 or www.agcensus.usda.gov.