USDA survey to locate farm-produced energy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to gain a better understanding of farm-produced energy, so it will conduct the first annual On-Farm Energy Production Survey in May, Bob Meyer of Brownfield reports. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service will mail a survey to farmers and ranchers who told the 2007 Census of Agriculture they were engaged in on-farm energy production.

The survey will focus on "use of wind turbines, solar panels, anaerobic digesters and other methods of energy production," Meyer writes. Bob Battaglia, Wisconsin director for NASS, told Meyer the results will "provide producers, policymakers and the public with factual data about the economic and environmental implications of on-farm energy production and demonstrate the steps farmers are taking to reduce their carbon footprint." (Read more)