Many people have reported receiving a four page survey from the USDA/NASS (National Agriculture Statistics Service). I called the phone number (1-888-424-7828) at the bottom of the survey. Stormey, the woman who answered my questions, assured me that:
- This form does not have anything to with NAIS;
- Filling out this form will not sign people up for Premises ID;
- NAIS is a totally different department; and
- The purpose of this form is to cull people out of their database who are no longer farming so that when they do the next big Agriculture Census in 2007 they can save on paper and mailing costs.
Given how deceptive the USDA has been recently about NAIS I do not fully trust these answers but that is what they are saying. If cleaning inactive farms out of their database is the real purpose of this survey then a simple postcard would have been a lot cheaper and effective. The fact that it is a four page questionnaire which asks such detailed information makes it look like a lot more than what they claim.
The other thing is the USDA really could have done a better job of picking a name for the survey. Think about it, calling it the “2006 Agriculture Identification Survey” makes it sound like it is intimately related to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Baaahd idea as Mr. Blue and my ram would say…
The odd thing is I used to believe we had a good government. Not perfect but it was basically good. I used to be more than willing to cooperate with a survey like this. I didn’t feel like the government was trying to walk all over my basic Constitutional rights and privacy. NAIS and the abuses under the Patriot Act has opened my eyes to a whole lot of abuses of government going much further back than that. Special interests groups, namely big corporations, are controlling too much of our legislation and regulations through lobbyist. I’m getting to the point where I would be willing to throw the bath-water out without looking. I didn’t used to be so cynical about government, honest.
Hat tips to Susan who emailed me her forms & many others.
Walter after we got the call my husand did call them back and ask if this put us on the NAIS list and if it was part of NAIS. They ASSURED us that it was a different department, that they were only interested in statistics. Of course we just didn’t believe it either. WE are also distrustful now of our government totally and completely. I have no faith in my leaders or REPS. It saddens and sickens me. I have learned too much researching NAIS and now I know the rest of the story…..
Comment Goatster — June 12, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
Will you be posting this survey? I would love to see it and warn those who are unlucky to get one. I have a few horses and ponies that we have raised since babies. We just don’t think they should be on a list and monitored for food for Japan. What is this county doing to us. If Japan is so worried about where it’s food comes from, ask the person at the slaughter house door where the animal came from and have them show papers…if it wasn’t stolen he could supply the info. Leave the rest of us alone. We are not selling our animals to feed anyone.
Comment beverly — June 12, 2006 @ 3:06 pm
Walter,I say people have no reason to trust the gov’t and especialy the USDA,they have shown over the years a total disconnect from small farmers and homesteaders and their actions of late give me no reason to hope for better.I know your not alone in the sentiment that you once basicly trusted the gov’t,and now find yourself questioning it more than ever before I feel the same way ,once not long ago I felt that while the gov’t had “issues” it was basicly ok,but as this issue began to unfold and I decided to dig into it,I became aware that the powers that be are basicly running unchecked and the means to keep them in check (THE CONSTITUTION)is being twisted or ignored completly. As I look over the info on this site and others and search the web and other resources I have become very aware that the big Govicorp has been going all over the planet doing things that they could never have done here,now they are here,and they want to do the same thing to us,its hard to look at our gov’t and our system and say bad things about it,it just seems wrong somehow BUT I am also of the mind that to ignore evil is to condone evil and we must realize that while our gov’t is becoming facist, America is still good, sometimes we tend to put our gov’t and our country in the same bucket and fail to draw a distinction between them,this bureacratic snake that is the gov’t is not America our people are basicly good our Constitution is still the greatest hope of freemen anywhere but we as a people must first aknowledge that we have a problem and it goes deeper than USDA,or AgriBiz,we have allowed snakes to get control of how this nation runs and then tell us its too big of a world and we “common” people just don’t understand but they can save us and help us avoid the pitfalls and sorry to say we bought it,but now I believe folks are seeing this snake for what it is and are beginning to question and to call some of these little dictator wannabees just that.So I understand what your saying,and NO I dont think folks should trust this survey,it stands to reason that they will use any info you give them against you somewhere down the road,I believe most country folks are smart enough to see through these vipers and to work to cut off the heads of all of them!
Comment LEE — June 12, 2006 @ 3:20 pm
Cynicism is just a step in the journey to enlightenment.
How many of us benefit from the National Agricuture Statistic Service survey. I doubt if ANY of their profiling is constitutional. I guess if you’re not expecting a subsidy check in the mail, don’t waste your time. Figure it out FOLKS! We’re being sold down the river.
Comment Dan Frantz — June 12, 2006 @ 3:46 pm
I was telephoned to fill out a survey on horses by the University of Idaho. I asked who wanted the information and was told the Idaho Horse Council. Now, the Idaho Horse Council, to my knowledge has never done a positive thing for horses or horsemen so I was immediately suspicious! I declined to answer the survey and offered a few choice comments on the Horse Council.
A few days later, I received a four page survey in the mail, which I threw away. A reminder card turned up in about a week. Two weeks later, there was another copy in the mail along with a letter instructing me to fill it out and send it in. This time I sent a note stating (wrongly, but my paranoia was getting out of hand) that I had sold my horses the previous year. This was followed by two more calls, both on my answering machine saying they still wanted the information from last year. I declined to return their calls. Finally, I had a call at 7:30 in the morning, again the U 0f I wanting the information. This time I became rather peevish and told the caller that I was really tired of being harrassed and was calling the local sheriff. If I heard from them again, I would file a complaint.
Happily, I have not heard from them again would not encourage anyone to disclose any information to anyone at this point in time.
Comment Patricia Hampton — June 12, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
Just a reminder folks,the senate is going to be working,I believe this week on the bill that funds NAIS be sure to call your senators and tell them to defund NAIS,the capital switchboard # is 202 225 3121 lets flood them!
Comment LEE — June 12, 2006 @ 5:56 pm
I would not trust this survey. See the USDA page on this.
link
They are collecting too much information about people and using intimidating tactics to do it to.
Comment Mark — June 13, 2006 @ 10:49 am
Its bad enough when they ASK for info thats none of their business,but when they start DEMANDING thats when my rebel “tude” kicks in,I would never give a university anything,except trouble,they have no authority,UI sounds kinda like one of these “collection agents” keep after you till you give in,No,folks don’t give em anything! We don’t OWE them anything!
Comment LEE — June 13, 2006 @ 1:19 pm
WALTER,THOUGHT THIS MIGHT INEREST YOU.
Cargill, Incorporated Owns:
Cargill, Incorporated | Who Manufactures:
CARGILL - Seeds, Salt, Poultry & Processed Meats
DOUBLE DIAMOND - Beef
EMGE - Processed Meats
EXCEL - Beef
HONEYSUCKLE WHITE - Premium Turkey
LESLIE - Salt
NUTRENA - Feeds (ACCO FEEDS ALSO)
SUNNY FRESH - Egg Products
BE CAREFULL WHAT YOU BUY FOLKS YOU MAY BE KILLING YOURSELF AND YOUR RIGHTS IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU THOUGHT.
Comment LEE — June 13, 2006 @ 1:41 pm
Whoa!!!
Mark’s link is an eye opener. So your neighbor turns in the survey?
Comment Donna — June 13, 2006 @ 3:37 pm
In searching for info on the Agricultural Identification Survey, I have found a government webpage that reports on a meeting in Beijing, China, October 18-22, 2004. It discusses a “Five Year Farm Register Plan” and the establishment of a “Farm Register Council”. Five years from 2004 seems to fit in with the final implementation of NAIS in 2009. I have not researched the “Five Year Farm Register Plan” or the “Farm Register Council”, because I just discovered this webpage in the last few minutes. The web address is long, so just do this search: “18th International Roundtable on Business Survey Frames”. There are only 4 or 5 hits, and it is the first one. I am not surprised to read that this was held in China, a country we are supposedly suspicious of. The global elite work hand-in-hand all the time, even with apparent “enemies”. This same process filters down to our own political parties in this country. Everyone needs to wake up and see that there is no difference in the republicans or democrats — they are just the controlled opposition. It has to appear to the general population that there IS a difference, so they can garner lots of campaign contributions, and also to keep the flock from discovering that no matter which party is in power, we still slide down the slippery slope to a totalitarian police state. We all know our congress and senate are for sale to the highest bidder (with only one or two exceptions), and our presidents are only puppets of the international elite. That does not excuse any president for goose-stepping to their orders and selling out the USA. They don’t care about selling us out, because they will not have to live in the country they are creating (destroying) for us. They keep themselves immune now, and it is certain they will continue to do so.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — June 13, 2006 @ 4:58 pm
Just did a quick search on the “Five Year Farm Register Plan” and the “Farm Register Council” on Google. Not much there. Then I searched:
“international roundtable” NASS
There are several pages of hits with that search, with roundtable meetings going back several years.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — June 13, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
Lee: Her is a bit more info on Cargill- maker of Nutrena feed.
Nutrena and ACCO Feeds Divisions of Cargill
Cargill’s involvement with NAIS (Animal ID )
The concept of electronic tracking of animals was raised at cattlemen’s meetings in the early 1990s. The concept culminated in the U.S. in 2002, when the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) proposed that the USDA develop a “national animal identification system” (NAIS). While NIAA may sound like a public interest organization, it is actually an industry trade group.
For over three years Cargill Meat Solutions and other industry giants like Monsanto, National Pork Producers Council, Global Vet Link, Micro Beef Technologies and Digital Angel helped craft the proposed NAIS program. Small livestock producer and individual livestock owners were never consulted.
Cargill’s various divisions has had a number of employees and representatives who have held key positions crafting NAIS under the color of NIAA from it’s inception. To name a few Ken Bull and Marcine Moldenhauer represented Cargill/Excel on the NAIS “TASK FORCE” . David Nolan of Cargill Meat Solution sat on the “Animal Identification and Information Systems Committee”.
Currently Dr. David Nolan Production Specialist of Cargill Pork sets on the USDA’s “NAIS Swine Identification Working Group” and Ms. Marcine Moldenhauer, Strategic Supply Chain Manager for Cargill/Excel, serves on the USDA’s “NAIS Markets & Processors Identification Working Group” and the “NAIS Beef Cattle Identification Working Group”. In addition Ms. Moldenhauer served on the USDA’s “Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Disease”.
In theory NAIS was crafted to facilitate trace-back of the origins of livestock disease outbreaks. It is the opinion of many the real reason NAIS was instigated and crafted by members of NIAA was to expand the bottom line of NIAA corporate members.
While there is no doubt NIAA members like Global Vet Link, Micro Beef Technologies, Digital Angel, Allfex and Temple Tag will expand their business greatly with the implementation of NAIS. Many have come to realize that Cargill and its Cargill Meat Solutions Division will be one of the biggest benefactors of the NAIS program.
Cargill Meat Solutions division is comprised of Cargill Beef, Pork, Taylor Packing, Case Ready, Value Added Meats, and Cargill Cattle Feeders groups. Cargill Meat Solutions brands are Excel, Angus Pride, Honeysuckle White, Prairie Grove Farms, Shady Brook Farms, Sterling Silver, Taylor Beef and Tender Choice. Excel operates six packing plants in the U.S., one in Canada and two smaller plants in Australia.
FYI: Canada and Australia has mandatory animal ID program.
Cargill Meat Solutions is the second largest beef processor in North America. slaughtering 28,300 head per day. Cargill stands to benefit by billons of dollars in sales of beef exported to other countries if the USDA NAIS system is implemented and these countries lift import restriction of US beef. The importance of this has certainly come to light by the recent airing of Cargill produced and sponsored ” Cattle Shows” on RFD-TV featuring Dave Larson, Executive VP of Cargill. The “Cattle Show” is Cargill’s NAIS sales propaganda targeting cattle producers. Cargill’s sales pitch is how small producers are going to get rich from export profits.
At this time foreign countries fully expect to pay a premium for beef that meets their highly restrictive criteria of age and source verified boneless beef under the age of twenty months. It is no secret that today the supply of US beef that is age and source verified is limited, as such there is a premium being paid by packers for these animal. These premiums are extra expenses to packers’ like Cargill Meat Solutions.
Once NAIS is mandatory for all species of livestock the premium paid to livestock producers will evaporate because the cost of tagging and tracking will just be a cost of business for all producers. However beef packers will still be receiving premiums for their finished product.
There is a secondary value to large operations like Cargill if NAIS becomes mandatory. If NAIS is voluntary many producers of all sizes will not participate. Operations like Cargill more than likely will have contracts to purchase animals that have been ID’ed at birth that have been age and sourced verified. Packers will be under long-term contracts and will be forced to pay premiums to their producers for these animals. In the event that foreign or domestic or even both markets fail to materialize for the high price spread or simply consumers prefer cheaper meats, small livestock producers and packers not playing the export age and source verified game will have a distinct market advantage.
Cargill maker of Nutrena and ACCO feeds in it’s zeal to promote NAIS for the benefit of it’s Cargill Meat Solutions division has forsaken the opinions, wants and desires of it’s livestock feed customers.
Comment Feedbag — June 13, 2006 @ 9:07 pm
Feedbag,WOW,I can see you did some digging!I copied this down and put it in my file folder with my other papers on Cargill and the other terror cells,this just goes to show how interlinked these people have become,I know I sound like a broken record,but folks we have to start looking at what we buy and find out where it comes from and who is getting our money,many of us raise our own food , we can do more and we need to spread the word to anyone who will listen.What we don’t raise we should try to find a farmer who sells ,buy local,buy sustainable we can ruin these knotheads if we cut off the cashflow,I know it seems insurmountable at times,but we are the people,many of us know how to “make do” buy secondhand,fix it up, wear it out,for many of us this is a way of life,we need to teach others particularly young people that this consumer society we live in is just a way to control us to make good little consumers out of us,we are taught to get an education and get the best job out there, not for our own good but so that we can spend more. This seems to be all that the GoviCorp is interested in any more ,more sales and bigger profits and the American way of life be da*ned,(pardon my bluntness)We can no longer afford business as usual, we have to start with our own selves and then work outwards,a challenge I know, but what is it compared to the life “THEY” have planned for us if we do nothing!
Comment LEE — June 14, 2006 @ 10:53 am
YES! THREE CHEERS, LEE! If I ever heard a sermon in a sentence (or two), this it it. Everyone needs to pay attention to this - it may well be the road to our future if we are to sustain our way of life. (And who doesn’t want to maintain the way of life they’re living??!) It IS a challenge, but one we must undertake!
Comment FarmerSid — June 14, 2006 @ 12:03 pm
From an historical perspective…
Representatives from Cargill were one of the first to be involved with the earliest traceable preliminary discussion groups that ultimately resulted in the NAIS as it appears today.
The history of the NAIS is as muddled as it can be…but one thing stands clear…it was ALWAYS an industry driven concept. The meat giants and the animal technology giants have had a disproportionate level of representation in the development of the NAIS since its earliest stages.
The “vested interest” factor with regard to the NAIS is off the charts!
Comment Neil W. — June 14, 2006 @ 12:45 pm
I have never received this survey before so I doubt I am on any list for culling -
“The purpose of this form is to cull people out of their database who are no longer farming so that when they do the next big Agriculture Census in 2007 they can save on paper and mailing costs”
I returned a NONAIS flyer in the provided return envelope. This was not my idea but a great one. I also put my own stamps on it since the envelope was stamped “improper use subject to $300 fine”.I am getting pretty paranoid! Do you suppose using the information to “voluntarily” register your premise is “improper use” ?
Comment Mary Beth — June 14, 2006 @ 10:54 pm
i have gotten tw0 of those questionaires, I live in Jackson, New Jersey. I tore them up and threw them out, but if i get another one, i am going to do what Mary Beth did, NOW THATS A COOL IDEA.
Comment irene — June 15, 2006 @ 6:35 pm
Is it true that the Senate already has this bill and will discussing this on June 12th? How are we to stop this if we are not being heard. It seems that nobody knows what, when, how or why. I wish this was more available for the public to see….not just us with horses. I showed this to a person at my office who does not own any animals and they were upset too. Please help us to do more to stop this. I feel like we are not being heard.
Comment Beverly — June 16, 2006 @ 10:51 am
Beverly, I’ve been watching the Senate.gov web site but so far have only seen mention of the HR5384 bill, not any Senate discussion, planned votes or amendments. If you find anything, let me know. -WJ
Comment walterj — June 16, 2006 @ 11:23 am
If we all pool our $ together, we may be able to buy our government back!
Comment Nancy — June 20, 2006 @ 1:49 pm
I look up this address at the department of agricultural. link Looks like it will cost us a hundred dollars if we don’t answer the NASS surver letter.
I threw mine out the first time and plan to do the same with the second one also.
Jim
Comment Jim Bruer — July 17, 2006 @ 9:32 pm
I tried to post a link on the law about the 2006 agricultural identification survey, don’t think it went through. will try again.
This is a link to the law about the survey. Looks like it will cost us a hundred dollars to throw it away, may owe two hundred as I threw the first and also the second one away.
Jim
Comment Jim Bruer — July 17, 2006 @ 9:47 pm
TITLE 7 > CHAPTER 55 > § 2204g Prev | Next
§ 2204g. Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture
(a) Census of agriculture required
In 1998 and every fifth year thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall take a census of agriculture.
(b) Methods
In connection with the census, the Secretary may conduct any survey or other information collection, and employ any sampling or other statistical method, that the Secretary determines is appropriate.
(c) Year of information
The information collected in each census taken under this section shall relate to the year immediately preceding the year in which the census is taken.
(d) Enforcement
(1) Fraud
A person over 18 years of age who willfully gives an answer that is false to a question, which is authorized by the Secretary to be submitted to the person in connection with a census under this section, shall be fined not more than $500.
(2) Refusal or neglect to answer questions
A person over 18 years of age who refuses or willfully neglects to answer a question, which is authorized by the Secretary to be submitted to the person in connection with a census under this section, shall be fined not more than $100.
(3) Social Security number
The failure or refusal of a person to disclose the person’s Social Security number in response to a request made in connection with any census or other activity under this section shall not be a violation under this subsection.
(4) Religious information
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person shall be compelled to disclose information relative to the religious beliefs of the person or to membership of the person in a religious body.
(e) Geographic coverage
A census under this section shall include—
(1) each of the several States of the United States;
(2) as determined appropriate by the Secretary, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam; and
(3) with the concurrence of the Secretary and the Secretary of State, any other possession or area over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty.
(f) Cooperation with Secretary of Commerce
(1) Information provided to Secretary of Agriculture
On a written request by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce may provide to the Secretary of Agriculture any information collected under title 13 that the Secretary of Agriculture considers necessary for the taking of a census or survey under this section.
(2) Information provided to Secretary of Commerce
On a written request by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Agriculture may provide to the Secretary of Commerce any information collected in a census taken under this section that the Secretary of Commerce considers necessary for the taking of a census or survey under title 13.
(3) Confidentiality
Information obtained under this subsection may not be used for any purpose other than the statistical purposes for which the information is supplied. For purposes of sections 9 and 214 of title 13, any information provided under paragraph (2) shall be considered information furnished under the provisions of title 13.
(g) Regulations
A regulation necessary to carry out this section may be promulgated by—
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, to the extent that a matter under the jurisdiction of the Secretary is involved; and
(2) the Secretary of Commerce, to the extent that a matter under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce is involved.
Comment Jim Bruer — July 17, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
on the third new jersey equine survey that has been sent to me it says that my “responses to this survey is voluntary”. So can i still be fined?
I am ready to just hand my horses over the authorities because this is scaring the bejezzus out of me. I can’t be involved with NAIS for fear that it will destroy the quality of life for my child. I am ashamed to say i’m an american. Have to add a little something about the ashamed part, i read an article that stated THE US IS CHARGING IT”S CITIZENS (making them sign vouchers stating they would pay back the US government To be evacuated from the mid-east war.
WHAT IS GOING ON? My poor horses, i don’t know what to do, looks like the government is taking to owning everything and everybody. You don’t even have the right to refuse medical intervention anymore, they own our bodies too, when will they come around trying to tag us.
Comment irene — July 18, 2006 @ 8:27 pm
I had filled out Ag surveys for many years. When I stopped claiming the farm tax exemption,I stopped filling out the forms. I got one a while back and tossed it.I then started getting calls from USDA. The first time they left a message saying they wanted to follow up on the form.I ignored it.They started calling every few days,sometimes twice a day or more,never left another message.One day I decided to answer. They asked what crops I would be growing this year.I told them none.They said”You won’t be growing any corn, apples,hay,beans,etc,etc?” “Nope”They hung up and have not called since. What was very odd to me is I have never grown any crops,not even hay and had never indicated I had grown any on any of the old forms. They did not ask about livestock and I offered no info.The less said,the better.
Comment Jaclyn Hall — July 19, 2006 @ 7:20 pm
According to this article in the Boston Globe, the USDA will be counting goats every year across the nation, “just like it does the bigger beef animals”. The article states:
“The federal government used to count the nation’s goats only every five years, as part of the Census of Agriculture. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began compiling an annual January inventory, said Scott Hollis, a statistician with USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service.”
The last link I tried didn’t work (my fault, I’m sure), so you can locate this article by typing in the headline: “Producers Say Goat Industry Growing”
[Here is the link. -WJ]
Comment Texas Goat Gal — July 22, 2006 @ 4:00 pm
“You don’t even have the right to refuse medical intervention anymore, they own our bodies too,……..”
This is exactly what happened in this article:
link
Comment Barbara — July 23, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
Don’t know how many of you have received calls from USDA about the NASS survey we got this summer, but I just received my call. Our daughter, who has a few goats of her own on our land, got a call last week, but when my husband told them that we did not answer surveys over the phone, the man said “thank you” and hung up. The woman who called me (name Alyn, yes, I asked her to spell it) sounded totally confused, and asked to speak to “Warren Warren”, which is not my husband’s correct name. She stuttered around and finally said that is what she had on her records, and I said I would like for her to identify herself before I said anything. At that point she had not even told me she was with the USDA. I told her I did not answer surveys over the phone, and I told her I did not have much confidence in the USDA if they didn’t even have our correct name. She tried to get me to verify our ranch name and address, which I did not do. She said that we would be receiving an ag census in the mail soon, and we would have to comply with that. When I asked her to cite the law or code where compliance was required, without covering the phone, she asked someone, “can we do that?” Another woman came on the phone, name Pat Plafcan (I had to ask her name), and she said that information would be on the census. When I asked her if Alyn was a temp or new worker, she said no, she was an “experienced enumerator”. I told her we did not apply for or receive USDA money, and I didn’t feel like we had to answer surveys.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — September 18, 2006 @ 8:30 am
The USDA folks are definitely still hard at work. Earlier this afternoon, Mom answered the phone when it rang. The man calling started by saying he was with some agricultural service. Mom doesn’t remember exactly what service he said he was part of. Could have been the National Agricultural Statistics Service, but don’t remember for sure.
Then he started rattling off questions such as, “Do you still have Nubian goats?” and “How many acres do you have?” The questions sounded very much like the ones on the 2006 Agricultural Identification Survey. They sent us a copy of that earlier this year, and then another one. Both times, of course, Mom refused to fill it out. We threw out the first one. I still have the second one, so that I can know exactly what the questions are.
When Mom had a chance to break in she asked, “Am I required to answer these questions?” He replied with no, she didn’t have to. For now. But he went on to say this was in preparation for a survey to be sent out later. She would have to comply with that, he said. Mom answered that in that case, she would wait for that later survey.
From this website, I see that quite a few of you have been through this as well. Any words of advice on what to do when they next send something to us in the mail, or call us with questions? Of course, Mom will NEVER answer the kinds of questions that are on that 2006 Agricultural Identification Survey. They stink too much of NAIS.
Last I knew filling out the Survey was voluntary, right? Obviously, they are playing bait-and-switch again. “You’re not required to answer these questions, but at some point, you will. And if you refuse, then you won’t be a farmer anymore.” Isn’t that what they mean?
If the USDA sends anything more to us with a provided return envelope, I believe I will follow Mary Beth’s idea. I think I will put a NoNAIS handout in the envelope, then return it. In the meantime, I guess we should prepare for a $200 fine because of “Refusal or neglect to answer to questions” (as under Title 7, Chapter 55, so eloquently quoted in #24. Thanks, Jim!)
God Bless
Comment Goatman — September 19, 2006 @ 1:38 pm
Look at it this way: unless they send the survey via registered or certified mail, they can’r fine you, because even though they mailed you the survey, they can’t prove that you actually received it.
Comment Dave — January 9, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
HOW DID I GET ON THIS LIST???
I got one of these NASS survey in the mail. I live in a urban area and have never earned a penny selling anything I have grown. Does a 20×30 foot plot in a community garden qualify as a farm now?
Did they get my name from a seed catalog list, a magazine I subscibe to? A gardening cours online? Tis is pretty scary, kind of 1984 Big Brother! I have been fixing up my house to sell so I can buy a couple of acres–I guess the thought police caught me.
Comment Carol — January 11, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
While researching the “2006 National Agricultural Statistic Survey” on the web, I came across this website. Seems pretty much every site I visit, sends me to something regarding either the WLIC or NAIS. The “Survey” however, asks lots a questions about berries, melons, aquatic plants, bees and labor, not just livestock and poultry, etc.
We live in Wisconsin on a hundred acre farm, about half wooded and half tillable. We lease out the tillable acres, hunt the wooded, have an overweight house cat, a scrawny rat terrier, and generally keep to ourselves
I retired about 2 years ago and moved here from Texas with my wife, to live out my days away from the hustle and bustle and bureaucracy of city life. It seems, however that the “bureaucracy” has followed us.
I take personal offense to this survey as an invasion of privacy, government heavy handiness and precursor to having every US citizen “electronically identified”(the mark of the beast?)
bob
Comment Bob — January 13, 2007 @ 2:43 am
My mother got one of these “surveys” and neither she or the rest of our family are farmers, or have ever farmed in our lives.
She does order from seed catalogs, but what she orders, she hardly uses- and our little puny garden barely yields a cupful of cherry tomatoes. We never sold any vegetables to the public– not even in a garage sale.
We own no livestock or animals, but we do live near an old defunct dairy farm where the owner owns some pet cows as a hobby.
So why in the Hell did my mother’s name get on the government USDA database?
My father joked that we should pretend that we are farmers–so that they will pay us NOT to farm– as what they are doing so that small farmers sell out to the government and stop farming, to allow the giant Corporate farmers to take over.
I wrote to Secretary Haines about this nonsense survey, but I have a feeling my reply will be very condescending and only what they want us to know.
Is this some type of census they are doing so that they have more info on what they can create future taxes for? — Like for every vegetable garden one has- they will have to submit square footage to the IRS?
This survey is literally bullsh*t
Comment Lisa — January 14, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I agree with Dave in #31. I’m complaining because I saw the survey online somewhere…
I just sent an email to my U.S. Representative and my two U.S. Senators asking them to stop the survey and repeal the law.
Comment just — January 16, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
I forgot to mention the discount you get on the $100 fine. I’m sure you can figure out where to put it on your Schedule F, since it’s clearly a business expense.
Comment just — January 16, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
In Indiana, the Board of Animal Health has already started *requiring* “Premise ID” as of Sept. 1, 2006.
I had thought about euthanizing all the animals on my small farm/homestead rather than comply. I only found out about the requirement 2 days before it was due(in a tiny local newspaper that we get weeks or sometimes months late), I went ahead and filed with Indiana (because of all the dire warnings about fines and other penalties only vaguely referred to) since I was trying to sell one of my older cows, hadn’t found a buyer, and was afraid I would have to take her to an auction.
Now, January 2007, I have received this invasive NASS survey in exactly the same name and address that I used in filing with the state.
(Since our address recently changed to “911″ addresses, this was easy to track).
I have looked extensively through the “Title 7 USCode” that supposedly *requires* me by federal law to answer it and have found nothing that supports their statement that I am required to answer it.
My problem with this all is that for the Indiana BOAH, supposedly we only had to report the livestock that we have that might be sold or leave the property, so I only reported that I had cattle (we had only 4) on the Indiana BOAH Premise ID required form. However, we also have pets - 1 sheep, 2 pygmy goats, a dozen chickens, 2 horses, and 3 miniature donkeys which I did not report since they are pets.
Now I see that all this will be so interconnected, that even though the Indiana BOAH premise ID is not technically a part of the NASS or even NAIS, they are apparently all going to share info and stats on everyone to be sure they can collect info on as many people as possible.
I have no faith that the govt. as it stands now can handle this amount of citizens’ info in any way even remotely considered responsible, privately, securely, or even usefully.
I am greatly distressed and anguished over all this and feel really worried that so few people seem to know about it or be writing about what options we have. There seems a huge lack of info and dissent about this govt. invasion of privacy and taking away our civil liberties.
At this point, contacting law makers to express my objections is the only thing I see possible, and filling out the survey since it is due next week (they gave us less than 4 weeks to find out about it and fill it out ! - I guess they figure that doing it fast like that will prevent us from finding ways not to comply).
I wish I could sign this “Anonymous in Indiana” but that is apparently not possible….
[You can sign Anonymous in Indiana or use a screen name if you want. The purpose of the email address is so I can contact you to answer a question, etc. The IP address is recorded, as our USDA Terrorist discovered but that info is not posted with your comment nor is your email posted with the comment. An a separate note, please don’t kill your animals to get out of NAIS. They will just come at you with REAL ID and other programs plus you’ll just be playing into the hands of big biz that wants to make your more dependent. Instead, fight back. Write your legislators, make comments on regulations and legislation, tell other people. Don’t ever give up. -WalterJ]
Comment Carly — January 23, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Premises identification is key to this scheme. So if you kill your animals or sell all of them - even your “pet” livestock - they will be after you for something else - what you grow, your well, what you build, and on and on. I do not believe this is about animal identification, but about getting their grip on your land. Then, of course, it is about your land and everything else you do. So why kill or sell everything, as they will come after something else.
I hope everyone has read Bruno’s 15 essays on his freetofarm.com webpage (right sidebar). It should scare the dickens out of everyone - enough so as not to comply.
I know we are all going to be put to the test, so Carly, I am not picking on you. When we stepped on our land over a decade ago, even though I had never been to this area, I felt I had come home. This land is ours, and no government agency or big business would take care of it the way we have. I am home, and I am staying.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — January 23, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
dear fellow lambs,
i came upon this website by googling the title of the survey. i received the survey, threw it in the trash, and now have received it again. they must be serious.
i am not a farmer, never have been, and have no connection to farming. i have a small organic garden(yes, i’ve ordered organic seeds and seedlings by mail). but, that’s it. i live on a gigantic rock in the ozarks, about 60 acres, where farming animals is near impossible
after i read all of your post, i found a world net daily article written today, saturday, feb 24th, that you all need to read. it’s written by henry lamb.
go to worldnetdaily.com and look for henry lamb’s article titled usda’s snooping maching. link
Comment nobull — February 24, 2007 @ 11:35 am
We’ve drifted too far from the Original intentions of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. “They” use the excuse if you have nothing to hide what’s the big deal? We’ve lost many too rights , Patriot Act, phone tapping, suspension of Habeas Corpus , “free speech zones” , NAIS ,National I.D. etc, etc.
Load of manure, ALL of it I say. With a few exceptions, our duly elected turn a blind eye. OUR rights are being usurped every day and we hope “they” will give them back? Not gonna happen, we shouldn’t have to ask for our rights or agree to give ANY up, for ANY reason. It is our Patriotic Duty not to comply with requests or demands that violate our rights, it’s still OUR country!
Of course any questionaire or survey is wrong…it is none of their damn business, and clearly violates the 4th amendment. I haven’t received anything, but if I do, I’ll be sure and return it to them with a copy of the Bill of Rights appropriately highlighted and maybe a very opinionated suggestion as to where they can file their survey!
Speaking of manure…
I believe it was Thomas Jefferson, that said “The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants. It is it’s natural manure. ”
We HAD freedoms that kept our society functioning, take away the freedoms and what do you have? A thirsty tree of liberty or a society of controlled sheep ?
Moral - Each time we willingly comply with giving up a right, it’s gone. “Don’t give your lunch money to the bully…”
Comment Bob Constantine — February 24, 2007 @ 7:05 pm
i got another survey…
I think that agri-biz sees us as lost profits. Anotherwords i think they feel that they own all animals….and are just maximizing thier profits by duping us into a kindof slavery.
this is a horrid and vile act being done to us by our government….I will go live as a no mad anywhere but here before i let them chip me or my children (cause you KNOW THAT IS NEXT)…this is repulsive. I am frightened every day that goes by that may be closer to the day they start to really PROCESS us. We don’t comply…we will be hauled off to concentration camps…i do believe this. I hope i’m either gone, or dead by that time. Our government has become a very dangerous monster. Hilter back from the dead.
Comment Irene — February 25, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
I just called the number on the letter, asked where they got my name. I have a small residential acerage, non ag, have never been involved in ag. The lady asked if I was a Grange member, received ag related publications, horse magazines, or if my kids ever belonged to FFA (all “no”). I told her I did buy a tree to plant from Soil Conversation Service some years ago, and she said “well, there you go!” My response was to advise her to start the procedure for the $100 fine because I’m not sending back this second survey just like I didn’t send back the first!
Comment Robert Nickisch — February 26, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
the purpose of nass is not for nais,i have letter in hand from john hilton,deputy director,montana agricultural statistics stating so.the survey (nass)is seeking to identify farming and ranching operations in the united states(premise id).the letter states that they sent out more than a million letters ,to any one that they thought might be involved with ag. if a person sells a thousand dollars or more of ag products in a year you are defined as a rancher or farmer according to the usda.YOU NEED TO BE COUNTED. i would be more than happy to send you a copy of this letter.(e mail me).walter has my permission to give it to you.adios comrades,get used to it.
Comment nick lecompte — February 27, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
“”the purpose of nass is not for nais,i have letter in hand from john hilton,deputy director,montana agricultural statistics stating so.the survey (nass)is seeking to identify farming and ranching operations in the united states(premise id).”"
Uh,..duh.. premise id is stage one of NAIS.
I got a survey today, I copied the statute and wrote in that the census, “is for 2003 and 2008 and 2013 etc, not for 2006 or 2007. This survey is invalid.”
I can’t deside if I want to send it back or take to my Rep.
Thumper/inOkla.
Comment Thumper/inOkla. — February 28, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Nick, what do you mean ‘get used to it’? I can’t get used to tyranny and deception.
Comment Doreen — February 28, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
mr thumper,premise id is alot more than the first step to the nais,it is one of the first steps to completely stripping you of your privacy and one of the first step in implementing north american union and vertical intergration.have no doubt about it,this NAU is in the works.it starts with control of the grassroot people (us).DOREEN,coma sta(spelling could be off),i am glad you cought what iam talking about!!!.it is called tyranny and if the usofa doesnt wake up we will be talking a foreign tongue.sayanora comrades
Comment nick lecompte — March 1, 2007 @ 7:01 am
link
“NASS has been working with various minority and specialty farm groups and other agencies to identify ways to encourage participation and promote the Census of Agriculture within the various communities. Several projects are in development. One test being conducted is in Louisiana where NASS is enlisting the help of Black Churches in a list building initiative.”
Comment Ann Nelson — March 1, 2007 @ 7:39 am
We were outraged at getting this survey the first time and at first were going to simply toss it in file 13.
My cousin instead took it to the printer/scanner and pasted NoNAIS logos over the address portion of it, added in a couple of the NoNAIS flyers, and put it in the mail.
We just received a second copy of the survey identicle to the first, with the exception that the envelope now had ‘Overdue:Return within 10 days’ printed in red beneath the response required by law bit.
Looks like they’ll get some more NoNAIS info. If I stop blogging, they’ve come to get me!
Any one else get a second when they didn’t return a first, or are we targeted for showing them where we stand?
Comment Blaine Hubsmith — March 8, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
We got the survey twice and never returned it. Just recently we received our third copy. The USDA folks sure are persistent. But not more persistent than all of us! Right, folks?
Comment Goatman — March 9, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Answer to #48 ~
Keep a copy of the thing for your own records. If you feel like returning it again, do so. I’m not sure I would attach anything to it, however, for fear it may be interpreted as ‘tampering with the mail’ or some such thing.
Those of us who have already received multiple copies of this ’survey’ along with follow up phone harrassment from the nearest Land Based College ag-student staffed phone banks, have managed to make our objections heard and eventually were left alone.
We were threatened with, “I guess we will need to send a team out there to get the information.” We aren’t on any USDA programs so my husband made it quite clear there was absolutely no need for any ‘team’ to come on our farm for any purpose.
There is a penalty of $100 for not complying, but we weren’t fined and I don’t think anyone else who failed to return the survey was fined that I know. We got that survey a least three years ago, maybe even four.
When bullies push, it’s important to let them know we are within our rights to push back. They are in the wrong, not us.
Comment donna — March 9, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Survey…might come in handy if you run out of toilet paper too!
Comment Bob Constantine — March 9, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
We considered it Bob, but then if we sent it back to them following a trip to the outhouse, there’d be some bio-terrorism charges, most likely!! lol
Comment Blaine Hubsmith — March 10, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Our family just received one of these NASS survey’s. Fortunately it was addressed to our minor child, so we have absolutely no obligation to respond.
We are a small family farm, so far not making a dime. We are providing our own organically grown/raised food at a fraction of the cost. My husband has a full time job (50+ hours/wk) to pay for the “farm”. Basically, we’re just taking care of ourselves and a few friends.
We are homeschoolers who will soon be coming under fire in South Carolina. The state feels that they need to keep better track of how many times my children go to the bathroom during school hours.
We are somewhat reluctant to draw notice to ourselves because of this. We are educating our children to be responsible, hardworking citizens and not to fall prey to the oppinions of the current oligarchy. We are a faith-based homeschool family and will not teach our children contrary to our faith.
If push comes to shove, we’ll stand our ground. I wonder how many others are being pushed at this moment.
Comment Pamela F. — July 31, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Pamela #53, you’re right you have no obligation to respond.
The constitution limits the governments access to your “papers”. Some people might send a copy of the bill of rights with the 4th amendment hilited back to them… some people might use their survey in the outhouse too, that might answer their question of how many times kids use the bathroom !
Comment Bob Constantine — July 31, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Here you go kiddies, from the newly released to the public Traceability Business Plan
Page 16 Assessing USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data involving all reported species and industries relative to animal numbers
and operations;
Comment Henwhisperer — December 19, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
I find the reference Henwhisperer found quite disturbing - so I looked up the context….here are the relative points in context:
“In order to achieve critical mass, USDA estimates that 70 percent of the animals
in a specific species/sector need to be identified and traceable to their premises
of origin. This 70 percent level was derived by:
….
Assessing USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data
involving all reported species and industries relative to animal numbers
and operations;
Reviewing best available participation data in present animal disease
control and eradication programs;
The strategies below are designed to offer short-term advances in the number of
animals and premises officially identified, while increasing the quantity and
quality of traceback data that could be used to respond to a disease event.”
In other words - they are using the NASS and disease program information to get critical mass in the NAIS program.
Comment Lisa — January 9, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
And here is another gem from page 29 regarding sheep and goats in NAIS:
“Regulation modifications and increased emphasis on enforcement could bring
an estimated 90 percent of the sheep and goat industries into 90 percent
compliance with NSEP requirements.
Recommended Actions
Work with industry to achieve the cross-referencing of Flock ID numbers
with standardized premises identification numbers;
Support efforts to increase compliance for existing animal identification
requirements; and
Work with industry to develop a long-term plan to ensure the animal
identification infrastructure is maintained, following scrapie eradication.”
In other words - if you are in the voluntary Scrapie program you will be signed up for NAIS!
Comment Lisa — January 9, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
“I had thought about euthanizing all the animals on my small farm/homestead rather than comply. ”
To do so is an act of defeat. Civil disobedience is a sign of resistance. We can outlast the government.
Comment Patriot Henry — January 16, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
Have now received a total of four of the damn things - all were filed in the same place. Phone is not listed in the family name so good luck trying to call and get answers to the survey, which they wouldn’t anyway. If they decide to come through my gate the dogs bite and so do I. No entry without a warrent. My husband and I are retired police officers and we know our Rights. Take me to jail, would make a lousy inmate.
NO NAIS
Comment amerikan — February 5, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Just got my second survey in the mail yesterday. On the front it states it is “past due” and needs response in “10 days”. Required by law. Sounds very threatening.
Comment goatster — February 27, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Reality check. Title 7 was never enacted into positive law, see Federal Register. Any attempt to enforce stands as a willful act of fraud. If anyone contacts you ask for their name and information and then ask why they are violating your rights by this unlawful act. They will hang up and eventually will not call at all. 85% of all government officials claims are a bluff.
Comment Paul-Martin:Griepentrog — March 10, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Got 3 of them in the mail and now on top of that I got a phone call message from them on my CELL phone ENCOURAGING me to comply. I know where they got my info from a goat breeders list I was on. I am SO angry. Now they are going to start harassing me on my cell phone? This is getting crazy.
Comment goatster — May 10, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Compliance -1) the act of complying to a demand or proposal 2) a disposition to yield
So Goatster if you’ve gotten 3 notices and phone calls, you are clearly noncompliant…good job!
If it’s a proposal “they” are making a simple no thanks should be sufficient to make them go away. That’s “should be”… If it’s a demand ask the caller under which section of the Constitution do they derive their authority from and for their name, where they live, their home phone number, how much they make, color of their eyes, names of their children, how often they sleep on their back, if they wet the bed, color of their last bowel movement etc. if they ask why you need to know or what business of yours it is…reply, “my point exactly”. Then send them several more letters and
tell them they’re not complying with your requests…
I realize everybody has to make a living, so rather than being rude to telemarketers, I used to ask them for their home number and promise to call them back, later, at THEIR home when I have time, say about midnight or so…usually gives them pause for reflection. Never had one volunteer their number though. :)
Comment Bob Constantine — May 11, 2008 @ 4:13 am
Bob,
I give them a lecture on NAIS. That it comes from the UN and WTO, and that it is uncostitutional. Then I ask why they are helping to take away my Constitutional rights. You would be surprised at the response. I actually got a convert or two.
Most of the sheeple making the phone calls don,t know what it really is about.
Comment Snazy snezy — May 11, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
“Then I ask why they are helping to take away my Constitutional rights. You would be surprised at the response”
The response I’ve gotten to that question is that it doesn’t violate anyone’s rights. I’ve started asking them if they are lawyers who can make that judgement.
Comment Barbara — May 11, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
I think that is a great idea Bob just turn it around on them and ask THEM all the questions. I think it is safe to assume the person who left the message was just doing a job and has no clue what NAIS is about or the survey, just doing a job making calls.
Comment goatster — May 13, 2008 @ 6:11 pm