FAQs
Q: Is this survey anonymous?
A: For producers who received an invitation to complete the survey, the survey is confidential, but it is not anonymous. “Anonymous” means that we would not know who is receiving or responding to the survey. It is, however, confidential. We designed a representative sample of producers randomly selected from our 1.5 million producer mailing list (producers who have received funding over the past several years). We know who is receiving it as links are individualized but will not be tracking or reporting which specific people respond. CXD will protect the data through standard social science practices, and is pre-coding certain demographic information, such as the respondent geographical location. Respondents get questions that are tailored to them so aggregated analysis within agencies can be conducted.
Q: How long will the survey be?
A: The survey is 20 questions and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Q: Who will be participating in the survey? Can people who don’t get a survey link still volunteer?
A: Approximately 28,000 producers will be selected to participate using a sampling algorithm. But we encourage all producers to participate. If you didn’t receive the survey, you can fill it out at farmers.gov/survey.
Q: How long will the survey run?
A: The survey opens August 6 and will be open for six weeks or until USDA receives a 30% response rate.
Q: What will the data be used for?
A: This survey will gather baseline information on how we are doing and how we can improve or maintain high levels of service.
Q: What kinds of questions does the survey contain?
A: The survey asks producers about their overall relationship with USDA, and how well their last transaction went. Demographic questions are optional and included at the end of the survey. These questions will allow the data collected to be analyzed to understand the different perspectives of producers based on their responses across age groups and within different communities. View the questions on the survey here.
Q: Will the results of the survey be shared with producers or the public?
A: Summarized results will be shared on Farmers.gov once analysis and aggregation of all responses is completed.
