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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: SENTINEL

Wikipedia didn’t say it, some guy on wikianswers made the lefty claim.

Wikipedia says the population grew by 9 million.


101 posted on 01/06/2012 12:24:06 PM PST by ansel12
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To: reaganaut

As the Owner of 5 acres, I have been Stump Farming for some time. For those of you who are city dwellers that’s Tree Stump(s), from Tree’s that gave their lives, so I could have heat, and I don’t wish to trash there memory, for the warmth they provided.

We just got our 4-page survey, so we (Wife & I) have to be honest in the reply; it’s Space-Carrots and Jackalopes, Stump Farming, and Homo Sapien(s), hey we did raise 3 kids!;-)>


102 posted on 01/06/2012 12:27:45 PM PST by Stanwood_Dave ("Testilying." Cop's don't lie, they just Testily{ing} as taught in their respected Police Academy.)
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To: null and void; SENTINEL; ansel12

So Stalin-era propaganda still breathes!

That just shows that the KGB has always earned a good return on their misinformation and lies.

It’s no wonder it’s latter-day members ended up as the biznessmen and oligarchs of post-Soviet Russia.


103 posted on 01/06/2012 12:37:05 PM PST by headsonpikes (Mass murder and cannibalism are the twin sacraments of socialism - "Who-whom?"-Lenin)
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To: matt1234
Sounds like the USDA is extending its reach, trying to justify its existence.

There probably aren't enough "farmers" left to keep the current staff busy, so now they bother people that grow tomatoes in the back yard.

104 posted on 01/06/2012 12:48:35 PM PST by ken in texas
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To: matt1234

I bet you bought supplies with a credit card...with the new financial bill they can track what you purchase...they get your card billing address and sent that to you.

ITS SICK!!!


105 posted on 01/06/2012 12:52:01 PM PST by surfer (To err is human, to really foul things up takes a Democrat, don't expect the GOP to have the answer!)
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To: matt1234

Just write on the survey that you would have filled it out but you already sealed it in the return envelope...

The agricats will get it.


106 posted on 01/06/2012 12:57:47 PM PST by surfer (To err is human, to really foul things up takes a Democrat, don't expect the GOP to have the answer!)
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To: All

The Census Bureau operates many surveys for many different depts, including the agricultural one you are talking about. How do you think you get the unemployment rate? The health statistics to monitor cancer clusters, etc... The fishing and wildlife to find out if there is a need for more rangers/parks and such. And on and on.

Being paranoid of surveys that have been around since the 40’s and 50’s is just asinine. And the purpose of the Census conducting is the privacy that the constitution affords you. Not even the IRS can access your data from these surveys. Hell, you don’t even have to give your real name.


107 posted on 01/06/2012 12:57:56 PM PST by autumnraine (America how long will you be so deaf and dumb to the tumbril wheels carrying you to the guillotine?)
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To: matt1234
“Do you own, rent, or operate cropland, pastureland, or land with the potential for agricultural production?” Ponder that.

Answer yes, they might give you a farm subsidy........

108 posted on 01/06/2012 1:02:07 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Naugahyde is no longer available due to the Naugas being hunted to extinction.....)
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To: matt1234
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.

All land does not have the potential for agricultural production as the term is used by the USDA. Throw the thing in the trash. If somebody calls you, tell them no and hang up on them. If somebody visits your house, tell them that you do not wish to participate in any survey and close the door.

How do I know these things? My husband and I DO have a farm. We cultivate approximately 2,000 acres of row crops. I also do quite a large garden and sell some produce locally.

My husband, in the past, always participated in the survey -- sometimes by mail and other times via a phone call we received. A couple of years ago, a USDA representative showed up at the house to do some "follow-up" to the paper survey. I was working in the kitchen which joins our den via an open bar area. Some of the questions were getting creepy. Like, do you own your home? How much do you have in the bank? Do you finance it yourself or get a crop loan every year? Stuff that had nothing to do with agriculture or the crops we were planting.

I had to step in and excused myself into the conversation. Why do you need this information, I asked. Didn't get a good answer. She proceeded with another question. By this time my husband is looking at me with a half go-get-em look and half quizical. I asked the lady if we were required by the USDA or any other agency to provide this information. Oh, no, she said.

At that point I told her that we were on our way out to eat and pardon me if I go ahead and show you back to the door.

Right before Christmas, the lady from the local USDA office called my husband to do the survey by phone and he told her that he did not want to participate. She said goodbye. The survey that came in the mail got thrown away.

109 posted on 01/06/2012 1:07:46 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: KarlInOhio; myrabach
I ignored the American Community Survey...

I just got one of those. Pitched it. Now they're wasting our tax dollars by sending me little postcard reminders every other day, which are also going in the circular file. If somebody shows up at my house, I'm going to tell them they have no Constitutional authority to demand that information, to have a nice day, and to get off my property.

110 posted on 01/06/2012 1:20:26 PM PST by Hoffer Rand (There ARE two Americas: "God's children" and the tax payers)
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To: matt1234

Write in BIG BOLD letters “ALL UNALIENABLE RIGHTS RESERVED”
and send it back to them...


UCC 1-103 & 1-207

UCC 1-207 is “Remedy” from Colorable Statutory Law and UCC 1-103 is your
“Recourse”!!! Use UCC 1-207 to reserve your right and 1-103 to argueyo ur
rights, under the Common Law, in court. State must produce a “flesh and blood” damaged party!!

U.C.C. 1-207:4 Sufficiency of reservation.
Any expression indicating any intention to preserve rights is sufficient, such as
“without prejudice,” “under protest,” “under reservation,” or “with reservation of
all our rights.”

The Code states an “explicit” reservation must be made. “Explicit” undoubtedly
is used in place of “express” to indicate that the reservation must not only be
“express” but it must also be “clear” that such a reservation was intended.
The term “explicit” as used in U.C.C. 1-207 means “that which is so clearly
stated or distinctively set forth that there is no doubt as to its meaning.”.. ..

U.C.C. 1-207:7 Effect of reservation of rights.
The making of avalid reservation of rights preserves whatever rights the person
then possesses and prevents the loss of such right by application of concepts of
waiver or estoppel....

U.C.C. 1-207:9 Failure to make reservation.
When a waivable right or claim is involved, the failure to make a reservation
thereof causes a loss of the right and bars its assertion at a later date....

U.C.C. 1-103:6 Common law.
The Code is “Complementary” to the common law which remains in forceexcept where displaced by the Code.. ..
A statute should be construed in harmony with the common law unless there is a clear legislative intent to abrogate the common law.... “The Code cannot be read to preclude a common law action.”

EXAMPLE
My use of “Without Prejudice UCC 1-207” near my
signature on this document indicates that Ihave exercised
the “Remedy” provided for me in the Uniform Commercial
Code in Book 1 at Section 207, whereby I have reserved
my Common Lawright not to be compelled to perform
under any contract, and/or agreement, or bankruptcy that I
have not entered into knowingly, voluntarily, and
intentionally. And, that reservation serves notice upon all
administrative agencies of government — national, state and
local — that I do not, and will not, accept the liability
associated with the “compelled” performance of any unrevealed
commercial agreement, and/or contract, or
bankruptcy.

Perhaps some experts here can educate us on this:

Article III, section 2 of the organic Constitution defines the kinds of judicial power the courts have:
1. common law
2. equity
3. admiralty
4. maritime
At the common law - a crime exists only when there is a victim with actual damages like a broken arm.

In equity - otherwise known as civil law a private contract is or agreement is involved. For an action to be brought there must be a breach of contract and damages.

Maritime - or commercial contract law originates in the rules of trade upon the high seas between international merchants and is enforced by military organizations.

Admiralty - is armed enforcement of the laws of commerce(the law merchant)

All birth certificates, licenses, registrations, insurances, bank accounts, permits, titles, deeds, etc. are commercial contracts created under the UCC - (Uniform Commercial Code) and this is where the confusion begins. Most people do not know that commercial law cannot regulate private dealings between civilians much less where to draw the line.

Where does one draw the line?

The Uniform Commercial Code

The Uniform Commercial Code was adopted by all states in 1964 making it the supreme law of the land. Take a look in the first part of every Federal and State code books and you will the find the Uniform Commercial Code consistent throughout.

UCC 1-103.6 defines how contract law must be in compliance with the rules of the common law providing there is made a knowing reservation of common law rights.

“The Code is complimentary to the Common Law, which remains in force, except where displaced by the code. A statute should be construed in harmony with the Common Law, unless there is a clear legislative intent to abrogate the Common Law.” (UCC 1-103.6)

What’s the remedy?

“The making of a valid Reservation of Rights preserves whatever rights the person then possesses, and prevents the loss of such rights by application of concepts of waiver or estoppel.” (UCC 1-207.7)

It is important to remember when we go into a court, that we are in a commercial, international jurisdiction. If we go into court and say. “I DEMAND MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!”, the judge will most likely say, “You mention the Constitution again, and I’ll find you in contempt of court!” Then we don’t understand how he can do that. Hasn’t he sworn to uphold the Constitution? The rule here is: you cannot be charged under one jurisdiction and defend yourself under another jurisdiction. For example, if the French government came to you and asked where you filed your French income tax of a certain year, do you go to the French government and say “I demand my Constitutional Rights?” No. The proper answer is: “THE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO ME. I AM NOT A FRENCHMAN.” You must make your reservation of rights under the jurisdiction in which you are charged, not under some other jurisdiction. So in a UCC court, you must claim your Reservation of Rights under UCC 1-207.

UCC 1-207 goes on to say...

“When a waivable right or claim is involved, the failure to make a reservation thereof, causes a loss of the right, and bars its assertion at a later date.” (UCC 1-207.9)

You have to make your claim known early. Further, it says:
“The Sufficiency of the Reservation: any expression indicating an intention to reserve rights is sufficient, such as “without prejudice”. (UCC 1-207.4)

Whenever you sign any legal paper that deals with Federal Reserve Notes, write under your signature: “Without Prejudice (UCC 1-207.4).” This reserves your rights. You can show, at UCC 1-207.4, that you have sufficiently reserved your rights.

It is very important to understand just what this means. For example, one man who used this in regard to a traffic ticket was asked by the judge just what he meant by writing “without prejudice UCC 1-207” on his statement to the court? He had not tried to understand the concepts involved. He only wanted to use it to get out of the ticket. He did not know what it meant. When the judge asked him what he meant by signing in that way, he told the judge he was not prejudice against anyone... The judge knew that the man had no idea what it meant, and he lost the case. You must know what it means!
Without Prejudice UCC 1-207
When you use “without prejudice UCC 1-207” in connection with your signature, you are saying, “I reserve my right not to be compelled to perform under any contract or commercial agreement that I did not enter knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally. I do not accept the liability of the compelled benefit of any unrevealed contract or commercial agreement.”
UCC 1-207. Performance or acceptance under Reservation of Rights.
A party who, with explicit reservation of rights, performs or promises performance or assents to performance in a manner demanded or offered by the other party does not thereby prejudice the rights reserved. Such words as “WITHOUT PREJUDICE”,” UNDER PROTEST” or the like are sufficient.

Like this:
“WITHOUT PREJUDICE” UCC 1-207”
First-Middle:Last

Your autograph is among your most valuable assets. It is not a good idea to autograph a contract without reserving your rights. If you must carry a driver’s license you should get a new one with a reservation of rights above your autograph on the license itself. As a matter of fact it is wisest to reserve your rights in any agreement, just in case there is some small print that suggests waiver of your God given freedom.

NOTE:

UCC 1-308 now replaces UCC 1-207

More here:
http://www.energeticforum.com/general-discussion/2504-common-law-ucc-1-308-a.html

http://www.dailypaul.com/78775/does-anyone-sign-their-name-without-prejudice-ucc-1-308

Does anyone sign their name “Without Prejudice UCC 1-308”?
Submitted by juliusbragg on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 22:41
in
• Daily Paul Liberty Forum


111 posted on 01/06/2012 1:41:37 PM PST by phockthis
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To: matt1234

Bump


112 posted on 01/06/2012 2:06:24 PM PST by tutstar (Want pings to Aaron Klein articles and OWS nonsense?)
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To: matt1234

No matter what’s in it, it must comply with the Paperwork Reductions Act.

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/laws/paperwork-reduction/


113 posted on 01/06/2012 2:20:37 PM PST by djf (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2801220/posts)
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To: JustaDumbBlonde

During the big census rush somebody came to the door with a handwritten name tag claiming to work for the census bureau. He tried to ask questions like “how many TV’s do you own? How big are they?” etc. When I refused to answer he tried to guilt me into it by saying “But if you don’t answer, the survey won’t count.” I ended up shutting the door in his face, but I was very glad I’d answered the door armed!!!


114 posted on 01/06/2012 2:59:21 PM PST by Ellendra ("It's astounding how often people mistake their own stupidity for a lack of fairness." --Thunt)
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To: Ellendra

You did good!!!


115 posted on 01/06/2012 3:01:31 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies. Plan it.)
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To: autumnraine
Not even the IRS can access your data from these surveys.

I don't think I'd bet my life, livelihood or future on that.

116 posted on 01/06/2012 3:07:52 PM PST by null and void (Day 1081 of America's ObamaVacation from reality [Heroes aren't made, Frank, they're cornered...])
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To: matt1234

Bookmark.


117 posted on 01/06/2012 3:24:38 PM PST by Trillian
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To: matt1234

I have had these surveys (if it’s the one I’m thinking of) that are broad ag interest data collectors. I used to run a number of bee hives for commercial purposes and they were on me like a duck on a junebug. IIRC, they were snooping into gardens, produce production, etc. In short, anything to do with agriculture - no matter at what scale.

Tell them you raised petunias for a sick aunt and swear to never do it again.


118 posted on 01/06/2012 3:52:02 PM PST by WorkingClassFilth (Soon to be a man without a country.)
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To: MileHi
Does the Ag Dept have a SWAT team yet?

I don't know.

But the department of Education is looking to arm up:

Short barrel shotguns for Department of Education?

119 posted on 01/06/2012 4:00:44 PM PST by AZ .44 MAG (Repeal Obama)
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To: Jack Hydrazine
Posted this before I saw your post:

Does the Ag Dept have a SWAT team yet?

I don't know.

But the department of Education is looking to arm up:

Short barrel shotguns for Department of Education?

Do you have any links for the NOAA?

120 posted on 01/06/2012 4:11:20 PM PST by AZ .44 MAG (Repeal Obama)
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