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Corbis
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A
good dataset is a treasure trove, capable of testing
the most mundane and expected hypothesis
(which can, instead, prove the unexpected) and testing
complicated
conjectures (which can uncover systematic relationships
that untangle complex problems). Such is the character
of data from the Agricultural Resource Management
Survey (ARMS)—a broad information system obtained
through an annual USDA survey and used by many inside
and outside
of USDA.
ARMS is the only national survey that provides observations
of field-level farm practices, the economics of the
farm business operating the field (or
dairy herd, poultry house, etc.), and the characteristics of the household
operating the farm—all collected in a representative sample.
Starting this September, when ARMS data collected for the year 2003 will be
released, more people will have easier access to the dataset and the data will,
for the first time, have statistical reliability at the State level
(for 15 major agricultural States*)
as well as at the national level. That means that
States can assess, as ERS does for the Nation, such things as which characteristics
elevate the top performing farms, how farm households divide their time among
farm and nonfarm endeavors, what farm practices are gaining favor (and with
what apparent returns to adopters), or exactly who needs financial or technical
assistance. ARMS data are summarized to inform policy and program decisions
at the State and national levels, as well as for agricultural businesses.
Thanks to new software and data management procedures,
researchers in cooperative relationships with ERS will
have desktop access to customized data summaries. These
enhancements will make analyzing natural resource, technology
adoption, farm business, and farm household issues less
costly and more efficient. The same innovations will
permit National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS)
State offices to produce customized data summaries for
their customers.
Data are valuable only to the extent that they can be put to practical use,
and are quickly available in the appropriate form and format, upon demand.
Improvements in data access coming this fall will make ARMS data tremendously
more valuable, while maintaining the strong disclosure and data security features
that protect survey respondents.
Katherine Smith
Director, Resource Economics Division
Economic Research Service
* Arkansas, California, Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, Washington,
and Wisconsin.
Interested in exploring ARMS data? Visit www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/arms/ for
background, description, and currently available data
summaries. To stay informed of new data availability
and access options, subscribe to the ARMS Update newsletter
at www.ers.usda.gov/updates/.
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