Customized Data Summaries
Everyone can get customized data summaries online for:
- Farm Structure and Finance
- Crop Production Practices
- Featured States
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individuals who may view any unpublished information).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 is provided at ERS or NASS headquarters or at a NASS
State Field Office. Office space and computer resources
will be provided.
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, ERS Resource Economics
Division, by phone (202) 694-5506.
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