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Fedzilla is demanding I complete a 4-page survey ... about my garden! (vanity)
me ^ | Jan. 6, 2012 | me

Posted on 01/06/2012 8:50:18 AM PST by matt1234

Are you ready for the vegetable census? Yesterday I received the “2012 National Agricultural Classification Survey” from the US Dept. of Agriculture. It was accompanied by a cover letter stating (in large, bold font) that my response is required by law; and, if I do not reply, I “may be personally visited.” I am not and have never been a farmer or rancher. My land has never been farmed or ranched. I do, however, have a vegetable garden that I built in 2009. This garden is private and noncommercial. There is no illegal activity whatsoever on my property.

The survey is 4 pages consisting of dozens of questions. Among the pressing concerns of the USDA are the gender and ethnic origin of my “operators.” (I have none.)

I have no idea how I appeared on the USDA’s radar. Possibilities are aerial surveillance or monitoring of seed purchases.

In full disclosure, the survey states that a recipient can opt out of the main portion of the survey if he answers “No” to the first four questions. However, the way they are written, it seems impossible for a landowner or renter to answer “No.” For example, one of these questions is “Do you own, rent, or operate cropland, pastureland, or land with the potential for agricultural production?” Ponder that. Doesn’t all “land” have “the potential for agricultural production”? If so, a landowner or renter cannot answer “No” and thereby opt out. (Even a lot covered completely by a building has “the potential for agricultural production” because you can grow food on the roof or windowsills, or you can tear down the building.) So, the way I read this, if you own or rent land, you cannot opt out. Moreover, according to another of the first four questions, if you own one or more livestock animals, even a chicken or a horse, you cannot opt out.

This survey is patently absurd, in my case as a simple gardener, and in EVERY case, as evidenced by the survey’s language described in the preceding paragraph.

Questions to fellow FReepers:

1. Does anyone have experience with this survey?

2. Any suggestions about my course of action?

3. What would John Galt do?


TOPICS: Agriculture; Conspiracy; Gardening; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: bondcollapse; default; dollarcollapse; economy; garden; gardencensus; gardening; usda; usdasurvey
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To: stuartcr; spokeshave
Did you go to the NASS website, to get more info?

Only briefly to see if there's an online copy to satisfy spokeshave's request at post 22. To access the online survey form, it appears you have to first enter your unique survey code. I did not do that.

I did telephone their help number a couple times...and got a busy signal.

61 posted on 01/06/2012 9:57:07 AM PST by matt1234 (Bring back the HUAC.)
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To: matt1234

I’ve received them in the past and did receive one this year as well. It has already been duly processed by my paper shredder as were my past ones. Only once did anyone come knock on my door - they were immediately told to leave and did (it was a contractor similar to what the census used).

The maximum fine for non-compliance is $100.00 - they can KMA. Even if they wanted to fine me, which they haven’t, I wouldn’t pay.


62 posted on 01/06/2012 10:03:59 AM PST by RobertClark ("Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed")
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To: matt1234

Well, I’d sit on it. If they won’t tell you what US code is behind this, I see no reason to comply. If someone does visit, pull it out and insist on the US code that requires this. Tell them it’s an invasion of privacy, you have no commercial business, and what you grow for your own consumption is your own business. At least, that’s what I’d do.


63 posted on 01/06/2012 10:04:10 AM PST by bcsco
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To: Lazamataz

That is one of the funniest posts I’ve read in a while.


64 posted on 01/06/2012 10:04:32 AM PST by matt1234 (Bring back the HUAC.)
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To: matt1234

thanks


65 posted on 01/06/2012 10:05:52 AM PST by stuartcr ("In this election year of 12, how deep into their closets will we delve?")
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To: matt1234
During the great depression 12 million Americans DIED OF STARVATION.

They can't have we serfs having the audacity to be self sufficient enough to NOT DIE during their next planned kill off.

They've not kept it a secret that they want to drastically reduce the world's population.

NWO Commandment #1 from the Georgia Guidestones

66 posted on 01/06/2012 10:08:17 AM PST by SENTINEL (Romney is to Conservatism what Mormonism is to Christianity.)
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To: MileHi
I received this too for some bare ground in a mountain subdivision.

Any idea how you were selected as a recipient? Are they doing aerial photography and looking for defoliation? I'm going to call them and ask them how I was selected.

67 posted on 01/06/2012 10:08:41 AM PST by matt1234 (Bring back the HUAC.)
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To: matt1234

I’ve gotten it many times over the course of the past 9 years and each time I get it I do the same thing - file it in the round file. Ignore it.


68 posted on 01/06/2012 10:10:03 AM PST by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: struggle

Alternatively, answer every question “NOYFB” and send it back.


69 posted on 01/06/2012 10:10:33 AM PST by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners)
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To: DaxtonBrown
Wow, I’d heard that this was in the offing, but didn’t realize it would actually happen

I got my first one back in 2004 or 2005.

70 posted on 01/06/2012 10:12:09 AM PST by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Good info. Thanks.


71 posted on 01/06/2012 10:12:53 AM PST by matt1234 (Bring back the HUAC.)
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To: matt1234
I have no idea. Have had the place for about 12 years. These are 40 acre +/- lots that folks are putting mountain homes on. Commercial activity is not allowed within the association.
72 posted on 01/06/2012 10:14:44 AM PST by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: albie; matt1234
You mus havet a liberal, Saul Alinsky follower as a neighbor that snitched on you.

************************

That's my guess as well.

73 posted on 01/06/2012 10:21:35 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: matt1234; JustaDumbBlonde

JustA, have you seen this thread yet? Take a look if you haven’t!


74 posted on 01/06/2012 10:27:22 AM PST by little jeremiah (We will have to go through hell to get out of hell.)
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To: matt1234

Chuck it.

If they call, hang up on them.

If they personally visit your property, pick up the phone and dial the business number of the Sheriff’s dept. and while on the line, tell the gov’t person to please leave your property.

If they refuse to leave immediately, tell the Sheriff’s office person on the line that you’ve asked them to leave and they’ve refused and to send a deputy over to arrest the person for trespassing.

Handle subsequent personal visits similarly and any continued phone calls as harassment.

They can always make an appointment to talk with you at your lawyer’s office. [ grin ] If they can get a hold of you via registered mail each time.


75 posted on 01/06/2012 10:32:58 AM PST by hadit2here ("Most men would rather die than think. Many do." - Bertrand Russell)
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To: LucyT

Off topic but interesting and may pertain to many of us.


76 posted on 01/06/2012 10:38:09 AM PST by azishot
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To: matt1234

Do they have proof-positive that you even received the document?


77 posted on 01/06/2012 10:46:03 AM PST by Excellence (9/11 was an act of faith.)
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To: Bubba Ho-Tep

My neighbor thinks we got this because we have tractors and and the DMV or DOL ratted us out. When I got my form, yesterday, I called my ‘bleeding heart liberal US Representative and told them I considered it an unconstitutional violation of my right to privacy. I guess I should wait by the door for the Ag Police to come get me and send me to the Big House. Anyone wanna volunteer to send me a cake in a file after they take me away in handcuffs?


78 posted on 01/06/2012 10:46:20 AM PST by Handyman98362 ("Come and get me you Rat Bastards!")
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To: Jukeman

USDA: “There is no evidence that this land was ever used for any kind of agriculture!”

You (falling to knees): “Oh GAWD don’t rub it in!” (begin wailing to the heavens)


79 posted on 01/06/2012 10:56:48 AM PST by jiggyboy (Ten percent of poll respondents are either lying or insane)
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To: azishot; Berlin_Freeper; Hotlanta Mike; Silentgypsy; repubmom; HANG THE EXPENSE; Nepeta; Bikkuri; ..
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Are you ready for the vegetable census? Yesterday I received the “2012 National Agricultural Classification Survey” from the US Dept. of Agriculture.

It was accompanied by a cover letter stating (in large, bold font) that my response is required by law; and, if I do not reply, I “may be personally visited.” I am not and have never been a farmer or rancher. My land has never been farmed or ranched. I do, however, have a vegetable garden that I built in 2009. This garden is private and noncommercial. There is no illegal activity whatsoever on my property.

The survey is 4 pages consisting of dozens of questions..."

More at article.

Thanks azishot.

80 posted on 01/06/2012 10:57:37 AM PST by LucyT
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