Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS): Accessing the Data

Overview What is ARMS? What Type of Information is Collected in the Survey? How Are ARMS Data Used? How are Results Reported? Accessing the Data Recommended Readings Recommended Data Related Links Maps and Images Gallery

Customized Data Summaries

Everyone can get customized data summaries online for:

• Farm Structure and Finance
• Crop Production Practices

The data summaries are provided by the on-line data tool at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/ARMS/. Note that data on costs and returns are now only available in the Commodity Costs and Returns data product.

Special Tabulations and Micro Data

Users interested in special tabulations or access to the non-summarized micro data can contact Bob Dubman.

Access to ARMS micro data is limited to qualified university researchers and other nonregulatory government agency researchers who have collaborative projects with ERS or NASS that contribute to USDA's public sector mission. These projects must be formally administered through a cooperative research relationship between ERS and the responsible research organization.

The following steps are required to get approval to access ARMS micro data:

• Complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ERS/NASS and your organization, which grants access to ARMS data exclusively for statistical purposes under a pledge of confidentiality.

• Amend the MOU with a separate Project Agreement for each research project that will access ARMS under that MOU. Include a brief project description and objective, a detailed description of the data needed, and the planned uses of the data. Fill-in-the-blank MOU and Project Agreement are available.

• Sign the NASS Agreement of Confidentiality (ADM-043) in the presence of a NASS official (required for all individuals who may view any unpublished information). Users must participate in a Security Briefing on the security and confidentiality requirements of using ARMS data.

Once formal agreements have been signed, access to ARMS data can be provided at several venues.

1. On-site at one of the 46 NASS State Offices;
2. Via the Internet through the NORC Data Enclave limited-access secure web site;
3. On-site at the USDA ERS offices at 1800 M. St, NW, Washington, DC; or
4. On-site at the USDA NASS headquarters at 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC.

Office space and computer resources will be provided at USDA locations.  ARMS data cannot leave the facility and all estimates must be cleared for confidentiality before release.

Please note: ARMS data may be used for statistical purposes only; they may not be used for nonstatistical purposes, such as regulatory or enforcement purposes or release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In addition, all reports, publications, and releases based on ARMS survey data must pass strict nondisclosure reviews. Entities and individuals outside USDA with access to confidential survey data are subject to the same Federal statutes that apply to USDA and its employees. Under these statutes, individuals who unlawfully disclose confidential data are subject to fines and other penalties.

To request access to the detailed micro data, contact Bob Dubman, Data and Survey Coordinator at ERS, by phone (202) 694-5506 or email.