Purdue News

MEDIA ADVISORY

May 28, 2004

National Ag Census data release

The National Agricultural Statistics Service will release county specific data on the latest Agricultural Census figures at 11 a.m. Thursday (June 3). Greg Preston, director of Indiana Agricultural Statistics, will present Indiana's data during an event that may be viewed by news media at five sites around the state. He will be joined by Michael Boehlje, Purdue University agricultural economist, who will provide trend analysis. Information available will include data on farm incomes, the number of farms, farm land, cash rents, organic farming, livestock and more.

Reporters may view the presentation and ask questions at the following locations:

• Purdue University, Stewart Center, Room 209, West Lafayette. Contact: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-2722.

• Marshall County, Purdue Extension office, 112 W. Jefferson, Plymouth. Contact: Robert Yoder, (574) 935-8545.

• Whitley County, Purdue Extension office, 115 S. Line St., Columbia City. Contact: David Addison, (260) 625-3313.

• Hamilton County, Purdue Extension office, 2003 E. Pleasant St. Noblesville. Contact: Rill Rice, (317) 776-0854.

• Vanderburgh County, Purdue Extension office, 13301 Darmstadt Road, Evansville. Contact: Larry Caplan, (812) 435-5287.

Reporters who call in advance also will receive specific county profiles on counties of interest at the time of the presentation. Reporters at Purdue will watch the event live and those at other locations will watch via video telecasting. The presentation will be interactive so that reporters at remote locations may ask questions. The National Ag Census is conducted every five years and contains the most comprehensive data available on farming at the county level. For more information on the census, contact Preston or Steve Wilson, Indiana Agricultural Statistics deputy director, at (765) 494-8371.