By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has launched the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey in Wisconsin.
This comprehensive survey, conducted every five years, aims to gather crucial data on land ownership, income, expenses, debt, assets, demographics, and landlord characteristics from all agricultural landowners.
"Results from TOTAL will provide a single source of comprehensive, up-to-date information to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership. The data will help paint an accurate picture of farm costs, land ownership, land transfer plans for the next five years, six to 10 years, and beyond, demographics about farm landlords, and improvements made to farmland buildings and other characteristics," stated Greg Bussler, Wisconsin State Statistician. "This information will shape federal, state and local farm policies, and give producers a collective voice to show the costs involved in producing commodities."
NASS began contacting producers in December and will continue outreach efforts in February. "In February, our interviewers will begin reaching out to those who have not yet responded," Bussler said.
"Our enumerators and statisticians will gladly help you fill out the forms to help make reporting as easy as possible. It is important that producers complete the survey so the highly anticipated results of TOTAL will accurately define the economic status of U.S. farm operations and households for all 50 states including Wisconsin."
The TOTAL survey is a critical component of the Census of Agriculture program, and participation is both mandatory and legally protected. NASS strictly safeguards the privacy of all respondents, ensuring confidentiality under federal law.
Summarized results from the TOTAL survey will be publicly released on October 31, 2025.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy